Keith Swanick (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to take this matter. Two operating theatres in Merlin Park University Hospital, Galway were shut on health and safety grounds last September when significant leaks in the roof were discovered. Repair works were completed on 1 November and yet, more than three months later, the theatres are still not open. An independent clinical assessment has been undertaken to assess the feasibility of returning these theatres to use and I understand that correspondence was issued yesterday to the effect that one of those theatres may be in a position to open today. Can the Minister of State confirm this? More importantly, can he also confirm that it would be adequately resourced, keeping in mind that it is more than six weeks since the Taoiseach stated in the Dáil the Government's commitment to ensuring the restoration of a full elective orthopaedic service to Merlin Park University Hospital, Galway? For such a service to be restored, the promised modular theatres on the Merlin Park site need to be put in place immediately. I have been in contact with the chair of the HSE forum, Councillor Mary Hoade.She has echoed the concerns of all the forum members from all parties, all the staff members from University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park and, more importantly, the concerns of the public in general. Over six weeks ago, the Taoiseach said that the tender process for these modular units was in the final stages and it was expected that a contract would be awarded in the coming weeks. Can the Minister of State confirm whether this contract has been awarded and provide a timeline as to when work is due to begin?

With respect to Galway University Hospital emergency department, Eilish O'Regan reported last week that patients were falling victim to outbreaks of deadly superbugs in dangerously crowded hospitals. We know that the emergency department of University Hospital Galway is dangerously overcrowded. It has consistently been at the top of the trolley watch indicators, which is a shameful accolade. A 2017 report found that conditions at the emergency department were chaotic and nothing short of scandalous. The eyewitness report commissioned by the Saolta group stated that patients are crammed together, within touching distance of each other for the most part and with little or no privacy. Is it any wonder that patients in close quarters are contracting and passing on superbugs, which are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics? The CPE bug is particularly nasty and has multiplied and evolved since my days of working in accident and emergency. It is dreaded because it is almost untreatable. It is immune to some of the last resort group of antibiotics that are used when all other drugs fail. It usually leads either to a pneumonia-type infection in the chest or an E. coli infection in the bladder or digestive system. It kills around half of patients whose bloodstream it enters. Some 17 new cases were detected between 19 February and 12 March in Ireland, including in University Hospital Galway. I ask the Minister of State to update the House on the current stage of works at the new emergency department block. I urge him to acknowledge that there is a real need to put all shoulders to the wheel in this regard.

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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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.

Keith Swanick (Fianna Fail)
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I acknowledge the opening of the theatre in Merlin Park and I am delighted that one theatre is opening. However, there is a huge backlog of surgery with over 1,000 patients awaiting elective surgery in Merlin Park. When will the second theatre open? A huge phase of catch-up work needs to commence as soon as possible.I acknowledge that the contracts have been issued for the modular units but the Minister of State did not answer my question with regard to when work will begin on those modular units.

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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On the Senator's second question, as negotiations are continuing with the contractors, I do not have a date for when the work will begin but I will seek an update on the matter for him. I will also ask the HSE to respond directly to the Senator on the timeline for the opening of the second theatre.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I had occasion to visit Merlin Park recently. It is a fantastic asset.