“Mayo deserves delivery” - Dillon welcomes decisive action at MUH

Minister of State Alan Dillon has welcomed decisive action now underway to support Mayo University Hospital (MUH), working closely with Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and senior HSE management to address the hospital’s ongoing congestion and operational challenges.

Minister Dillon said the people of Mayo “deserve solutions, not soundbites,” and that his focus remains on ensuring that patients and staff at Mayo University Hospital see tangible, sustained improvement.

“The people of Mayo deserve timely, safe, and high-quality healthcare,” Minister Dillon said.

“Equality of access to care is not a privilege, it’s a right. My focus is ensuring that Mayo University Hospital delivers that standard consistently and transparently.”

In a detailed letter issued today to Mayo’s public representatives, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill outlined the scale of the problem facing Mayo University Hospital and the decisive measures now being implemented to correct it.

The Minister for Health confirmed that 80.2 percent of days so far this year have seen MUH operating above the national safety threshold, with 10 or more patients on trolleys each morning in the Emergency Department the highest rate among all Model 3 hospitals in Ireland.

On average, 17 patients per day have been awaiting admission at 8am, compared to just 6 in peer hospitals such as Cavan and Wexford.

Minister Carroll MacNeill described the situation as “completely unacceptable” and confirmed that a national task team has been deployed to work directly with hospital management and the HSE West/North West region to develop a new plan to address patient flow, workforce stability, and hospital safety.

Minister Dillon said that while the scale of the challenge is clear, so too is the government’s commitment to fixing it.

“Our focus has been on direct engagement with staff, local management, and the Department of Health.”

The Minister highlighted that Mayo University Hospital is not understaffed, contrary to public commentary.

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As of July 2025, MUH employs 1,502 Whole Time Equivalents (WTE) 7th highest of 17 Model 3 hospitals nationally a 31 percent increase since 2019, equating to 352 new posts. However, the hospital has faced higher-than-average absenteeism around 9 percent among nursing staff, versus a national average of 6%.

Minister Dillon said that stabilising the workforce is a top priority, supported by approval for 82 additional posts before year-end.

Minister Carroll MacNeill confirmed that the Safe Nurse Staffing Framework, a key government policy to ensure safe nurse-to-patient ratios, is now being fully implemented at Mayo University Hospital.

Phase 1 (general wards) is nearly complete, with 27.5 of 29.5 nursing posts filled and the remainder due by the end of October.

Phase 2 (Emergency Department) had previously not advanced due to local administrative delays. Following direct ministerial intervention, 18.5 new ED nursing positions have now been sanctioned for recruitment.

The Chief Nursing Officer and HSE Nursing Advisor visited MUH on October 6 to re-engage the Safe Staffing Framework, ensuring the policy is applied correctly and sustainably.

MUH will also now introduce the TrendCare IT system, a national real-time staffing tool to improve data-driven management and transparency.

“This represents a turning point for Mayo University Hospital,” said Minister Dillon.

“Safe staffing in both general and emergency departments will finally be the standard, not the exception.”

An unscheduled visit by the Minister for Health in August revealed 47 patients in the Emergency Department, 20 admitted but waiting for beds and limited weekend discharge activity. On one recent weekend, just 16 discharges on Saturday and one on Sunday were recorded, compared to 47 on the following Monday.

Minister Dillon said: “The entire hospital system must function seven days a week not just Monday to Friday. That’s why new discharge and admissions protocols are being implemented, with leadership oversight every day of the week.”

To drive these reforms, the HSE CEO has deployed expert national support to the West/North West Region this week to assist local management in developing a targeted plan to address the immediate and unacceptable levels of trolley use, currently the most challenging in the country. Based on the feedback from this deployment, the CEO will brief the Minister on appropriate next steps.

In addition, the Department of Health’s Economic and Evaluation Service and HSE Workforce Intelligence Lead are conducting a detailed data analysis to ensure staffing, resource use, and performance metrics are fully aligned.

Since the Minister for Health commitment to escalate the issue in mid-September, early results show measurable progress.

In early September, MUH recorded 17 red-status days out of 19. Since September 19, the hospital has had just six red-status days, including three so far in October evidence that reforms are starting to take effect.

Minister Carroll MacNeill confirmed that weekly oversight will continue between her Department, the HSE CEO, and MUH management, with updates provided directly to her office. Minister Dillon will also maintain regular contact with Mayo University Hospital management to ensure commitments on staffing, patient flow, and leadership reform are delivered.

“There is no quick fix, but there is clear progress,” said Minister Dillon.

“We will maintain this pressure, hold the system accountable, and ensure Mayo people see results, not rhetoric.

“Mayo University Hospital has one of the most dedicated staff teams in the country. They deserve leadership that matches their commitment. This is not about blame, it’s about delivery. My priority is ensuring that Mayo people receive safe, effective, and timely healthcare and that’s exactly what we’re working to achieve.”