Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tá mé ag ardú ceist ar maidin a d'ardaigh mé roinne uaireanta roimhe seo. There are reports that there are more than 60 patients on trolleys or in overcapacity wards at University Hospital Galway, UHG, a record high. It is reported that one patient has been on a trolley for almost five days. According to spokespersons, nurses are regularly calling the INMO to raise concerns about the levels of overcrowding and the impact it is having on patients. The hospital is facing a third month of near constant code blacks, which has led to the manager, Ms Chris Kane, to say patients are suffering. A new 75-bed ward at the hospital - an €18 million development - is to open in the near future, but we are told that it will not add to bed capacity because three existing wards will be closed as part of the development. The issues are ongoing. Hospital management is constrained in increasing capacity by planning restrictions and provisions included in the city development plan which require an adequate number of parking spaces to be provided in the event that additional beds are provided in the hospital. It has been said UHG is no longer fit for purpose. The Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, is to visit it in the near future. A public rumour on a local radio station this morning has it that he might be visiting Galway during Christmas to open the new 75-bed block. If so, will it be opened at full capacity? Will it lead to increased bed capacity in the hospital? We are hearing that only a number of beds will be made available. Will the block be fully staffed? I have asked the Minister a question a number of times, including in the Commencement debate. Does he not now accept that, at the very least, a feasibility study of the development of a new hospital in Galway is needed? The clinicians, management and patient representatives are saying it is. We must consider it if we are to deal seriously with the chronic issues in Galway. Will the Leader call on the Minister to debate the issue in the House?