The construction tender for the new surgical hub on the grounds of Merlin Park will issue this month, after planning permission was granted by Galway City Council this week, Local TD and Government Chief Whip, Hildegarde Naughton said this week.
The Hub is an interim measure pending the construction of the new Elective Hospital in Merlin Park, which Minister Naughton has championed since first elected.
“I am very pleased to announce that the full design and build construction tender for the new surgical hub on the grounds of Merlin Park Hospital will be issued this month. This new facility will treat up to 120 patients a day, leading to a significant reduction in waiting lists in the region”, Minister Naughton said.
“Construction work on this project is due to commence this year with the new hub due to open next year,” Minister Naughton indicated.
“This new surgical hub will be modelled on the very successful Reeves Centre at Tallaght University Hospital. It is intended that it will be developed and operational next year, thus reducing waiting times for people in the region awaiting elective surgery” the Galway TD noted.
“This new surgical hub for Galway, consisting of four operating theatres, two minor procedure rooms, and ancillary facilities, is a vital interim measure to ensure that elective procedures, such as endoscopy, minor operations, outpatient treatment and outpatient diagnostics services, can be carried out away from the UHG site thus ensuring that they are not cancelled when bed pressures are acute in UHG.
“The Health Capital Plan, which was published recently, contains a commitment to this new hub and I will continue to urge progress with officials in the Department of Health to ensure it is up and running in the shortest time possible.”
“I am very conscious of the long waiting times for elective surgery in the region, hence my campaign for our new Elective Hospital in Merlin Park. That hospital is now approved and pending its delivery, this new hub will ensure that we can reduce waiting times for those who await surgery, often in pain,” she said.
Residents in the Merlin Lane area have called for measures to be taken to end the practise of rat-running in their area.
They have no objection to the hub, but made their submission on the rat-running in the planning process for the surgical hub.
