Written answers

Tuesday, 2 May 2017

Department of Health

Health Services Provision

Photo of Noel GrealishNoel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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973. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 215 of 9 March 2017, the details of the services that will be moved; the precise timeframe; his plans to establish a minor injuries unit at University Hospital Galway to relieve chronic overcrowding in the emergency department; the expected timeframe for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19935/17]

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

During my visit to UHG on 20 February, I invited the Saolta University Healthcare Group to develop a plan for both the UHG and Merlin Park sites which seeks to maximise the use of both hospital sites, while planning for necessary service expansion.

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.

With regard to University Hospital Galway, funding has been allocated to progress the design phase for a new ED. Winter Initiative and New Development funding was allocated to enable the opening of the new ward block at UHG. 28 beds in this facility are already operational, with the remaining wards to be opened sequentially during 2017.

Any investment in individual hospitals, such as the development of an MIU at University Hospital Galway (UHG), must be considered within the overall acute hospital infrastructure programme and that of the Saolta University Healthcare Group.

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

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