Construction began this week on two replacement orthopaedic theatres at Merlin Park University Hospital. The work is due to be completed by the end of this year and the theatres operational in 2022.
The orthopaedic unit will deal with hip and knee replacements, and spinal, ankle and shoulder surgeries. There will be two operating theatres and ancillary accommodation to support the theatre suites. It will be connected to the main hospital block building by a short pedestrian link corridor which will be the access point for patients and staff.
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The overall capital allocation for the project is €10.2 million which includes design, construction and equipping costs. Fianna Fáil Galway senator, Ollie Crowe [pictured], said the theatres will be “a significant boost to the facilities of Merlin Park”, and allow the hospital to restore previous levels of elective surgery.
“This will result in significantly reduced waiting times for thousands of Galwegians,” he said. However, he added there is “still a significant amount of work” needed to bring hospital facilities “up to standard in Galway”, and he called on the Government to “prioritise these works” in Galway.
