Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are certainly elements of what the Deputy said with which one cannot disagree. In recent weeks, University Hospital Galway has reported very high attendance rates and a number of infection control issues. That is a fact. Consequently, the full escalation protocol has been in operation for some time. It is implemented on a regular basis. The HSE advises that there continues to be an emphasis on access to diagnostics and enabling prioritised discharges to address congestion at this hospital.

As the Deputy is well aware, significant projects completed in recent years include the clinical research facility, which I am sure she welcomes. Also included are the upgrade to the maternity unit and the cystic fibrosis outpatient department, both of which I am sure she also welcomes. Galway emergency department is one of the focus sites for the winter initiative. As part of that enhanced measure, 23 additional beds have been opened in Galway. They have made a difference, whether the Deputy agrees with that or not. A 75-bed ward block and an acute adult mental health unit are currently under construction, as the Deputy is aware. I am sure she welcomes that. They are expected to be operational later this year.

The programme for Government contains a specific reference to the emergency department. It was constructed in the 1950s and upgraded in the 1990s. To improve operational flow in 2005 and 2006, it was undertaken to create a "minors" area to enable streaming of patients. This is not satisfactory. I have said this in the House before. The Saolta group has advised that a cost–benefit analysis with regard to the emergency department project was submitted to the HSE at national level. The Deputy has quoted from it. The cost–benefit analysis is now being considered. It was accepted by the HSE's national capital steering committee at its meeting on 15 November.

The HSE has advised that capital funding will be put in the 2017 capital plan to commence planning and design and the new emergency department project remains a real priority for the Saolta group.

The acute medical assessment unit at UHG is a consultant-led service that opens on a day service basis. The unit takes all medical patients from the emergency department following triage. There is access to key services, such as diagnostics, to facilitate rapid decision making and so on.

The Minister for Health was due to visit Galway before Christmas, but it was not possible to do so. He wants to go there, and will be there in the next matter of weeks, both to look at the emergency department and at the possibilities that might be implemented in respect of better use of Merlin Park. Believe me, Deputy, however, that when one starts making major changes, it is not the politics that are the cause of the problems. The Minister will be down there very shortly to address the issue.

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