New ward opening in Kilkenny due to 'huge pressure' in St Luke's after Wexford fire - Taoiseach
St Luke's General Hospital in Kilkenny is under 'huge pressure' following the devastating fire that recently ripped through Wexford General Hospital, according to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
Speaking in the Dáil on Tuesday, Varadkar stated that 'a new 22-bed ward is opening in Kilcreene Regional Orthopaedic Hospital in Kilkenny to help out'.
"It is putting huge pressure on University Hospital Waterford, St. Luke's General Hospital Kilkenny and other hospitals," Varadkar told elected members.
"I was in Wexford General Hospital in the past two weeks since the fire and I had a chance to speak to the management, doctors and other healthcare staff there about the situation.
"Part of what is happening is that a minor injuries unit has been reopened in the hospital. Patients are being repatriated to Wexford too. Staff are being transferred. Mowlam Healthcare, a nursing home in Tramore, is being used as well.
"If it is possible to do a modular unit or to do something to provide additional capacity, we should do it. I gave that indication to the management when I was there. The emergency rules that applied during the Covid-19 period no longer do."