Criticism of delay in reducing age for treatment at MIU

A Louth Councillor has criticised delays in implementing the reduction of the age limit for treatment at the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at the Louth County Hospital.

In November 2017, Health Minister Simon Harris was visiting Louth when he announced that the reduction in age at the MIU, from 14 to 5 years, would happen in February this year.

But Councillor Anne Campbell, who is a member of the Regional Health Forum, pointed out this week, ‘ that deadline is now well past.’

The RCSI Hospital Group which runs health facilities in Louth, Meath and North Dublin responded to queries raised in the Dail on the issue, with a statement confirming: ‘It is envisaged that the Local Injuries Unit at the Louth County Hospital will be in a position to start seeing patients over five years of age with minor injuries in Quarter 2 2018. This change in practice remains dependent on staffing and appropriate staff mix’.

Cllr Campbell responded: ‘I am very concerned at this delay and the fact that the RSCI have not even set a prop- er date for the age reduction. With over-crowding an almost daily occurrence at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, this age reduction will give parents with children under 14, the ability to get their minor injuries treated in the first-class MIU in Dundalk. The longer the age reduction is delayed, the more pressure is being heaped on an already overstretched A & E in Drogheda

Cllr Campbell called for the RSCI to ‘now make the age reduction their top priority in this area and to get the staffing they say they need in place.’