Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is regrettable that I have to stand here again today and talk about a crisis in the health services in Galway, and particularly at University Hospital Galway, UHG. It is consistently one of the worst hospitals in the country in respect of the number of people who have to spend a night on trolleys. It has got so bad that older people, in particular, are genuinely afraid to go to hospital, knowing about the indignities that await them in what is supposed to be the west's flagship facility. Over the past three weeks alone, almost 600 sick or injured, worried and vulnerable people have been left lying on trolleys overnight at UHG, and that does not include weekends. In the first six months of this year, 2,391 people spent more than 24 hours in the UHG emergency department. Shamefully, more than 850 of them were aged 75 or older, distressed and fearful, having to endure a full 24 hours and more lying on a trolley in the corridors of the emergency department.

It is scandalous that such a fear should exist in this day and age. I have put forward solutions in the House in the past, to both the Taoiseach and his predecessor, Deputy Enda Kenny. One solution is to locate a minor injuries unit at Merlin Park hospital on the eastern side of the city. It could take up to 60% of the people currently attending the severely overcrowded emergency department at UHG and deal with them in a fraction of the time it takes now. Not only would that greatly benefit more seriously ill patients, who would be seen sooner, but it would make the department a joy to work in for those staff who are under such stress at present. Eleven such injury units are dotted around the country. I visited the one in County Roscommon, where people are seen, treated and are out the door in less than an hour on average. Why is there not one in Galway? When I raised the matter with the Taoiseach in the House previously, he replied that it was a good idea and indicated he would look into it but I have heard nothing from him since. Why does it take so long to get a new emergency department built? The last I heard is that it will be another five years or more.

In the case of health investment, as I pointed out in respect of sports capital grants some time ago, it seems the west will always be the poor relation. Another example is the delay in replacing operating theatres at Merlin Park hospital, which has resulted in a significant spike in the waiting lists for orthopaedic treatment, since leaks were discovered in the roofs of the old theatres a full two years ago. A sum of €400,000 is needed immediately to finish design and start groundworks on a new modular theatre building, while €9 million will be needed next year to complete the project at Merlin Park hospital. Will the Taoiseach give a firm commitment that money will be allocated and ring-fenced to complete the urgent project? Will he give a commitment to speeding up the provision of a new emergency department at UHG? I also want his commitment to getting the ball rolling with the establishment of a minor injuries unit at Merlin Park hospital.

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