Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Almost two years ago to the day, with like-minded colleagues on this side of the House, I was given a mandate to enter the Dáil and effect change in dealing with a number of critical issues, including health, housing and public transport. We entered the Dáil knowing that the health service was in disarray, under pressure and bursting at the seams. That is what led to the setting up of the cross-party committee that produced the Sláintecare report last May. However, there was no action following the report and no sense of urgency until, when under pressure on 12 January, eight months after the report had been produced, an announcement was made on a recruitment process. Simultaneously, we were told about the results of the capacity review which told us what we all knew, that there was an urgent need for more beds. Like me, none of my colleagues expected solutions overnight, given the long background of health service underfunding, but we certainly expected to see a sense of urgency.

I am asking the Taoiseach to come with me on a journey to Galway city in the next two minutes. We had 46 people waiting on trolleys today and 52 yesterday, which was the second highest in the country. Every second day we have the highest number in the country. We know from Dr. Hickey and other very experienced clinicians that this leads to 350 to 400 deaths per year. In Galway the hospital is at crisis point. Lack of capacity is number one on the risk register. There was a leak in its sister hospital in Merlin Park on 4 September 2017, which has been raised by me and other Deputies in the Chamber. We were told repairs would take a few weeks. On 13 September, there was a further leak and we were told engineers and architects had been appointed. We were told it would only be a matter of weeks. During that time, the hospital was told to look at alternative arrangements, including capacity, if any, in the hospital, which was already bursting at the seams, capacity in the private hospitals, or any other way it could source alternative care.

It is now six months later and the two theatres remain closed. They have been repaired. However, a clinical review has told us they are no longer suitable. The design is not compatible with modern standards. Modular theatres are promised for next October, 13 months after the water first poured into the two theatres in Galway. On average, 60 patients were scheduled and 160 have been seen in the hospital. No other alternative arrangements have been made. Just under 1,500 patients are waiting for knee and hip replacements and surgeries. We have been told one solution and it has not happened. We have been given various scenarios that have not happened. We have had linguistic gymnastics while people awaiting hip and knee surgeries have no idea about gymnastics. I am asking the Taoiseach to take a hands-on approach and to clarify, today or as soon as possible, when the two theatres that have been closed, scandalously, for more than six months will reopen.

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