Galway TD and Government Chief Whip, Hildegarde Naughton, had indicated that the design team for the new Elective Hospital for Galway will be appointed in the next few months.
In a separate development, the Minister has also welcomed the decision of the HSE board to award the contract for the build of the interim Surgical Hub on the grounds of Merlin Park Hospital.
Minister Naughton said; “I am pleased to see continued progress on the development of the new Elective Hospital for Galway and the West. I have campaigned long and hard for an Elective Hospital for Galway and the appointment of a design team for our new hospital is a very positive step.
“A new Elective Hospital is of paramount importance to Galway if we are to tackle waiting lists for patients in Galway and the wider region. Our Elective Hospital will cater for high-volume, relatively low-acuity cases and will be focused initially on providing day case, outpatient treatment and outpatient diagnostics services. It will therefore decrease waiting lists and take pressure off University Hospital Galway (UHG ).
“This new hospital is vital if we are to treat patients promptly and efficiently in Galway and the West. The new facility will initially provide elective procedures and treatments in specialities such as Gastroenterology, General surgery, Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, Otolaryngology, Pain relief, Plastic surgery, Urology and Vascular surgery,” Minister Naughton said.
Minister Naughton has also indicated that the HSE Board have decided to award the contract for the build of the interim surgical hub in Merlin Park.
The local TD said; “The awarding of the contract for the build of the interim surgical hub at Merlin Park, which will cut waiting times for elective procedures until the Elective Hospital is built, is also very positive. The hub is due to open later this year and is backed by funding for the hire of the necessary staff in advance to ensure the prompt opening of the facility upon completion.
“It was always my view that healthcare infrastructure in Galway needs to be delivered away from the already congested UHG site. This Elective Hospital is essential to the healthcare needs of Galway and the wider region and I am committed to ensuring its timely delivery,” she concluded.
