Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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215. To ask the Minister for Health if, following the commitment given in Dáil Éireann by the Taoiseach on 29 November 2016, he will review the possibility of moving some services out of University Hospital Galway to Merlin Park University Hospital; the services that will be moved; the precise timeframe that is likely to be involved; if he will establish a minor injuries unit at Merlin Park to relieve chronic overcrowding in the emergency department at UHG; the timeframe for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12522/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Galway University Hospitals (GUH) comprises University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park University Hospital. This administrative structure was established with a view to delivering a co-ordinated service across both sites.

The Saolta University Healthcare Group advise that there are a number of future plans for the Merlin Park site at present. In general, further development of services on the site are planned, and the development control plan is currently being updated.

Planning permission has been obtained for a Day Services/Endoscopy Unit as Phase 1 of the Hospital’s development plan. A proposal for a temporary unit housing two Theatres and a Day Unit is to be resubmitted for consideration by HSE at corporate level. Other services planned on the site include, the replacement of existing long stay elderly care residential units, the building of a Hospice Unit, the development of Intensive Care Rehabilitation Unit, Mental Health Services.

Finally, tenders are currently under evaluation for a Permanent Ambulance Base and a new entrance to the site is planned.

Future investment in individual hospitals must be considered within the overall acute hospital infrastructure programme and establishment of hospital groups.

GUH will be asked to further update their Development Control Plan to develop plans for the optimal use of both sites. Meanwhile, funding has been allocated to progress the design phase of a new ED. Winter Initiative and New Development funding has been allocated to enable the opening of the new ward block at UHG. 28 beds in this facility are already operational.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.