Proposals from the Dept of Health, seen by Senator Seán Kyne cast serious doubts on commitments regarding 200 in-patient beds and a new elective hospital in Merlin Park.
Senator Kyne has received proposals from the Dept of Health presented to the South/South West Hospital Group which provide information relevant to National Development Plan commitments on ambulatory or outpatient facilities in Galway.
Senator Kyne has said the present plans from the Dept of Health under the Sláintecare Programme for elective hospitals fall far short of expectations presented by some politicians and clinical staff regarding Merlin Park.
'Fallen between two stools'
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"The chosen model selected is for a ‘Selective Day Surgery plus minor See and Treat’, which is one step higher than a minor procedures unit and three steps lower than a full-service elective hospital."
Senator Kyne said he welcomes any and all investment in health care in Galway City & County but he now fears we are left with two projects, a 200 bed elective hospital at Merlin Park and a new Emergency Department for UHG, neither of which will progress with the necessary urgency required.
'We now need to double down on the ED project to ensure it’s delivered as a matter of urgency for the people of Galway'
“I have championed a new Emergency Dept for Galway and I have always feared that the options appraisal being pursued by Saolta would delay the project. Unfortunately, this has happened and now we have fallen between two stools with plans having stalled on both projects which are vital to Galway and the Region.
'No overnight beds'
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'Uncertainty has always been the enemy here. We had people arguing against urgent investment in Galway University Hospital in favour of a plan which hasn’t come to fruition.
“The new day surgery planned for Merlin Park does not include any in-patient or overnight beds, never mind the 200 mentioned and promised. We now need to double down on the ED project to ensure it’s delivered as a matter of urgency for the people of Galway.
“As a member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, I have raised this at private meetings of the Committee and asked that a debate on Capital healthcare plans be held as soon as possible” concluded Senator Kyne.
