Minister unveils 50 new beds at OLOL

MINISTER Simon Harris visited Drogheda on Monday to announce the opening of 50 new beds in the state-of-the-art new extension at the hospital.

The beds will be the first to open in the new Emergency Department (ED) which was recently completed.

It will include 25 beds which are being transferred from the hospital to facilitate upgrade works and a further 25 new beds.

The Minister also revealed that the new Emergency Department will house a dedicated respiratory award.

Commenting on his visit to Drogheda the Minister said: ‘At Our Lady Of Lourdes I have had the opportunity to meet patients and staff and to see at first hand the impressive work taking place at the hospital on a daily basis.

‘I want to commend the staff on the great work that is being done, work which is showing real results for patients. As of the end of September the hospital has seen a 48% decrease in the number of patients waiting on trolley this year as compared to the same period in 2016. This is a remarkable achievement and I want to acknowledge the hard work and contribution of all staff in driving and delivering this improvement for patients.’

During his visit, the Minister also announced funding for additional capacity and services at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

The funding is being made available this year and in 2018, to allow over 50 beds to be opened in new wards.

The Minister continued: ‘I am delighted today to also be in a position to announce funding for additional capacity and services at the hospital. As part of a package of measures being funded for this winter, every week the hospital will be able to avail of three additional Homecare Packages (HCPs) and two additional Transitional Care Beds (TCBs). This will continue for the duration of this winter and will support patients to move from the hospital back to their home, or a community setting, when clinically appropriate.’

He went on to say that in addition, funding has been agreed to support the opening of ‘significant new facilities’ at OLOL including a new ward block and the opening of the new ED scheduled for May 2018.

‘ The new beds will greatly enhance facilities at OLOL and provide a clinically safe and dignified space for patients and their families, and for staff to work in,’ he said.