“A game-changer for healthcare in Galway,” is how one TD has described a new HSE capital spending plan which will see major funds to develop hospitals, mental health facilities, and day care centres in the region.
Under the HSE capital spending plan, which is worth more than €2 billion nationally, funding has also been made available for the new 50-bed unit at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe and a new modular theatre for orthopaedic surgery at Merlin Park Hospital, Galway. The 50-bed unit at Portiuncula will mean more surgeries being available in east Galway, and could result in some pressure being taken off UHG.
Additional spending has been allocated to progress the new A&E unit at University Hospital Galway, with maternity and paediatric units over the emergency department, along with radiation oncology facilities.
The funding will also give the go-ahead for the mental health day hospital at the old Grove Hospital site in Tuam, and the new community nursing unit to replace existing facilities at Áras Mhuire, also in Tuam.
The Minister for Rural Affairs, and Galway East TD, Seán Canney, described the investment as “a game-changer for healthcare in Galway”. He said that while some plans were at “different stages of development”, the Tuam Community Nursing Unit and the mental health unit at the Grove, along with Portiuncula’s 50-bed unit, and the modular theatre at Merlin Park “are now fully funded and ready to go”.
He added that the approval for the modular theatre at Merlin Park was “significant” and that when completed, “it should bring an end to unacceptable waiting times for orthopaedic procedures”.
