Local Independent Deputy, Denis Naughten, has been assured by senior HSE management and the Department of Health that tenders will be sought for the first phase of works for the fifty bed ward block at Portiuncula Hospital in the coming weeks with work is expected to commence on site in early 2020.
These enabling works will prepare the site for the construction of the fifty bed ward block which is expected to go to tender next year with the building itself to start in 2021.
“This timeline would tie in with the commitment which I secured in the Government development plan Project Ireland 2040 to have this 50-bed ward block development completed by 2022.
“These commitments were reiterated to a meeting between the Minister for Health Simon Harris TD and Galway County Council along with Portiuncula Hospital which was secured by Cllr. Aisling Dolan.
“Following the cost overrun on the Children’s Hospital Project I had sought and obtained assurances that this would not impact on these local projects and this was confirmed at the meeting with Minister Harris recently.
“This is very welcome as the fifty bed ward block at Portiuncula Hospital is now urgently required to address the chaotic situation that many patients and staff are facing in our local A&E Department,” Deputy Naughten emphasised.
