Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Ar dtús, gabhaim buíochas don Teachta as ucht an t-ábhar seo a ardú agus tá orainn go léir obair a dhéanamh ar son muintir na Gaillimhe. I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. Of course, he has to be given a very detailed and considered response.

Galway University Hospitals, GUH, comprises University Hospital Galway, UHG, and Merlin Park University Hospital, both managed by the Saolta University Health Care Group. Merlin Park University Hospital provides elective medical and surgical orthopaedic and minor surgery services, renal services, including a haemodialysis unit, two designated rehabilitation units, and a number of specialist outpatient clinics.

As the Deputy is aware, in September 2017, leaks developed in the roof of a building in the Merlin Park hospital campus that housed the hospital’s two orthopaedic theatres. To ensure a continuation of the orthopaedic service and with the support of Merlin Park staff, the hospital facilitated the transfer of elective sessions to University Hospital Galway, UHG. In addition, some minor procedures were undertaken in hospital 1 Merlin Park. In March 2018, remedial work facilitated the reopening of one of the two theatres at Merlin Park to restore service.

To bring the services back up to full capacity, a tender process was undertaken to provide two modular theatres and a successful vendor was selected for the project. Contracts were exchanged and were under discussion between both parties and a planning application was submitted in December 2018. However, the HSE has advised that, unfortunately, contracts could not be executed, and after discussion with legal advisers, the decision was taken to terminate this procurement. The HSE is working on a revised procurement strategy to restore full capacity at Merlin Park.

It is important that patients are aware that services have continued to be provided at Merlin Park since the initial problem arose. In the 12 months to the end of September 2018, more than 2,300 patients had orthopaedic procedures at Merlin Park. Every week, an additional ten theatre sessions are completed, treating 44 cases on average.

To address the waiting list issues immediately, the hospital is working to optimise current capacity to treat patients. The Government is committed to providing timely access to treatment for patients and has further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, increasing from €55 million in 2018 to €75 million this year.

The recently published Department of Health-HSE-NTPF scheduled care access plan for 2019 sets out measures to improve care for patients waiting for scheduled care in 2019 by reducing waiting times for inpatient and day case treatment and outpatient appointments. The plan will again this year place a strong focus on high-volume procedures, including orthopaedics. When combined with HSE activity, it is projected that the NTPF will be in a position to offer treatment to all clinically suitable patients waiting more than six months for hip or knee replacements. The NTPF will deliver additional activity in the health service by working with hospital groups and individual hospitals as well as private healthcare providers to maximise the number of patients treated in both a public and private capacity. I strongly encourage all hospitals, including Galway University Hospital, to collaborate with the NTPF to identify waiting list initiatives.

See this speech in context