Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to address the House on these matters on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris. The leaks in the roof of the building that houses Merlin Park University Hospital’s orthopaedic theatres occurred in September 2017, necessitating the closure of both theatres in the interest of patient safety. A full repair to the membrane of the roof was required to secure the integrity of the building and these works have been completed. I am pleased to have the opportunity to inform the House that following completion of remedial works identified as part of a further external assessment, one of the theatres has become operational today.

It has been evaluated that the best way of restoring effective capacity at Merlin Park is the construction of two modular theatres on the Merlin Park site. The HSE has advised that the tender process for these modular units is now complete and a contract has been awarded. Contract documents have been exchanged and active engagement with the successful company is in progress.

I assure the Senator that the Department and the HSE have implemented a number of measures to address overcrowding at University Hospital Galway. The Government is committed to fixing the situation in our emergency departments and breaking the cycle of overcrowding in the health service. To do this the Department is pursuing three priorities in 2018, namely, increasing capacity across the system using evidence provided by the health service capacity review beginning with some additional hospital beds; implementing reform through Sláintecare; and increasing services provided through primary care by negotiating a new GP contract.

The situation in University Hospital Galway is challenging, with 41 patients waiting on trolleys yesterday morning. Infection control issues remain of concern with six beds closed due to norovirus, which is impacting on congestion and admissions and transfers to wards. I wish to acknowledge the distress for staff, patients and their families of the current situation. Funding has been provided in 2018 to open 28 additional inpatient beds in University Hospital Galway and access was provided to seven additional home care packages per week and two additional transitional care beds per week for the duration of winter. Furthermore, the Department of Health is also engaging with the HSE to fast-track the recommendations of the recent health service capacity review with a view to opening more new beds within the system as soon as possible this year.

Both the Department and the HSE are working on alleviating the overcrowding situation at University Hospital Galway and ensuring that the orthopaedic theatres at Merlin Park are operational as soon as possible.