Seanad debates
Wednesday, 30 November 2022
Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters
Hospital Facilities
10:30 am
Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for selecting this matter. I will say this again, as I have said numerous times. There are four Ministers in the Department of Health, senior and junior, and yet Deputy Noonan is here. I mean no disrespect to him but it is something many of us have raised in the past.
For the first time since I came into these Houses in 2011, I can see a vision from the Saolta Hospital Group for healthcare in the west. Heretofore we have had internal politics, division and debate about different sites between UHG and Merlin Park with regard to dealing with the infrastructural needs in Galway. It is not just Galway but the whole region because University Hospital Galway is a model 4 hospital for the region. Unfortunately, its infrastructure is outdated. A temporary emergency department has been built of late to allow for future development and a new 75-bed ward. There has been some work in other areas such as an adult mental health unit and more. We are in bad need of investment in the area. The plan produced by the Saolta group incorporates four effective areas, including a new emergency department women and children's block, which I have raised here on numerous occasions. The strategic assessment report is with the Minister. We need to progress this and for the next stage to go through the business case for development and all of that. This is a major project of more than €100 million. That is why it has been delayed compared to original plans. It is absolutely vital. In 2015, the then Taoiseach Enda Kenny said in response to a question from the leader of the Opposition, Deputy Micheál Martin, that the emergency department was not fit for purpose. It was not fit for purpose then or years before that and it is not fit for purpose now.
The second project Saolta is interested in is the replacement of the laboratory buildings. A new five-storey laboratory block adjacent to the current mortuary is currently being considered by the HSE nationally. This project has approval in principle within the HSE but it is currently reviewing a strategic assessment report. This would replace laboratories built in the 1950s. That is important as well. The third item relates to cancer care and a new ward block. According to the national development plan, "In accordance with balanced regional development, a cancer care network for the Saolta region (West, North West) with a Cancer Centre at Galway University Hospital with appropriate infrastructure will be delivered." That is in the national development and Project Ireland 2040.The reports have identified a bed deficit in Galway and, really, we have a situation in which cancer patients are in competition with other people to get beds. That is not good enough. A dedicated cancer unit is needed for people who have to travel long distances, whether it is from Donegal, Mayo or elsewhere in Galway to avail of the services. A 200-bed ward block is needed and must be prioritised. The final item on the list relates to an elective hospital. The review carried out recommended a 125 day-bed and 71 inpatient room hospital be built. These are the asks of Saolta.
We had a very important meeting recently in which Professor Kearns led off and we heard from stakeholders and clinicians in the area about the needs of Galway University Hospital and the region. We wish to see the plans progress and there is cross-party support for the delivery of these projects for Galway and the region.
Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as an gceist sin and for the opportunity to provide an update on the status of the Saolta University Health Care Group's proposals for a new emergency department, cancer care centre, elective beds and laboratory facilities at Galway University Hospital and Merlin Park. As fate would have it, the Minister is before the committee with regard to Estimates. It is an incredibly busy time.
The strategic assessment report for the proposed emergency department, women and children's block at Galway University Hospital is currently under review within the Department of Health to ensure its alignment with national policy and strategy, as well as to ensure the proposal is affordable within the overall capital envelope. Under the public spending code, following this review, the report will be submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform which will advise if the proposal can proceed to the development of a preliminary business case. In the meantime, I am pleased to say that the new interim emergency department opened in October 2022. This interim emergency department and associated works will also serve as enabling works for the proposed new block if it is approved.
With regard to the cancer care centre, in line with the national cancer strategy, the model of care for hospital cancer treatment is centred on eight designated cancer centres serving a defined population and geographic area of which Galway University Hospital is one such centre. The centralisation of specialist services aims to optimise patient outcomes through case volume, multidisciplinary working and infrastructural supports. Saolta University Health Care Group made a capital submission earlier this year to the HSE for a Galway cancer care centre which has not yet been approved. When approved, it will be submitted to the Department of Health for review. The proposal, costing in excess of €100 million, will need to follow the requirements of the public spending code and the HSE capital projects manual and approvals protocol.
With regard to elective facilities, the Government agreed a new national elective ambulatory care strategy in December 2021. This new strategy aims to change the way in which day case, scheduled procedures, surgeries, scans and outpatient services can be better arranged to ensure greater capacity in the future and help to address waiting lists. The development of additional capacity will be provided through dedicated, standalone elective hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin.
A preliminary project business case has been developed for the new elective hospital in Galway. It is expected that a memorandum for Government seeking approval in principle of the business case at decision gate 1 of the public spending code will be submitted shortly for consideration. This is required before the project can move to gate 2, which involves the development of a detailed project brief and procurement strategy. It is hoped that the new elective centre will open in 2027 and be fully operational by 2028. Laboratory services at Galway University Hospital are currently being provided out of prefabricated accommodation. The Saolta University Health Care Group's plan is to provide new build modern laboratory facilities. A strategic assessment report has been submitted to the HSE national property and steering committee for consideration.
It is important to note, in addition to the projects raised by Senator Kyne, significant other capital works and investment are also happening in Galway. These include but are not limited to the previously mentioned interim emergency department, new orthopaedic theatres, an ambulance base and new facilities such as the 12-bed cardiothoracic ward. Under the national programme for radiation oncology, a new €56 million radiation oncology facility is expected to open to patients in quarter 2 of 2023. The facility will include seven radiotherapy treatment vaults; a brachytherapy suite; two computerised tomography, CT, rooms; MRI; on-treatment support and ancillary physics; treatment planning and administration facilities. This level of investment demonstrates this Government's commitment to the ongoing development of Galway University Hospital, Merlin Park and the services available to the public.
Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for the comprehensive reply on behalf of the Department. All of these projects are important. I do not like to make any of them more important than another but there is a clear need for all projects to be delivered in the coming years. It is incumbent on Government to prioritise them. The public spending code is obviously important and we know about the debate with regard to the children's hospital but it can also be seen as a delaying tactic in some cases with regard to these vital projects. It is important that each stage be progressed as quickly as possible. We all want value for money but we also want quicker treatment and infrastructure development for the population of Galway and the region. I ask the Minister to continue to engage with Saolta University Health Care Group on the delivery of these projects as a priority. I have pushed, on numerous occasions, the issue of the emergency department and pediatric and maternity projects but I am also pushing these other projects as vitally important for Galway and the region.
Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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By their nature, capital projects of the scale and ambition of projects discussed here today take time to come into fruition and must adhere to the public spending code and certainly not delay part of it. However, it is important they adhere to the code. The strategic assessment report for the proposed new emergency department at Galway University Hospital is currently under review by the Department of Health and when completed will be submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for review. With regard to the Galway cancer care centre, a capital submission has been made to the HSE but has not yet been approved. With regard to elective facilities, a preliminary business case has been developed for the new elective hospital in Galway and it is expected that the memorandum for Government to seek approval in principle of the business case will be submitted shortly for consideration.
Galway University Hospital and Merlin Park hospital have a reputation for delivery of high quality, innovative and safe care to patients. This Government seeks to support the staff and patients in the healthcare journey of these facilities by continued strategic investment in services not only to the major projects the Senator included in the question but also through other projects currently under development and already mentioned here today, including the new radiation oncology unit which will cost €56 million and the development of a temporary but substantial emergency department building. I thank the Senator for raising the question this morning. It is important as the population continues to grow in the region that these services continue to be enhanced for the public.