Galway city central ward independent candidate Mike Cubbard has lashed out at the HSE for what he alleges was its “lavish spending” for the recent visit of Taoiseach Brian Cowen to University Hospital Galway.
Mr Cubbard claims the health authority went “overboard” preparing for his visit to the regional hospital where he officially opened the new cardiothoracic surgery unit.
“I have learned that teams of gardeners, painters and cleaners were brought in to give the place a big makeover for the visit and all the A&E patients were diverted to Merlin Park for the day.
“Surely a hospital is about patients and their care and such wanton waste of public funds is nothing short of a disgrace.”
He says it would have been more beneficial for An Taoiseach to see the overcrowding in the emergency department rather than having patients “hidden” in Merlin Park.
“I now call on the Minister for Health to investigate this obvious waste of public funds.”
