Health Minister Simon Harris has indicated that he is willing to consider the use of Merlin Park Hospital to provide a solution to Galway’s ongoing health crisis.
Clinicians and hospital management have both affirmed their support for proposals to develop a new hospital at the Merlin Park campus in recent weeks.
Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, who has led the campaign for a new acute hospital, welcomed the Health Minister’s statement as an important milestone in the bid to establish a new healthcare facility in Merlin Park.
“As this campaign has gained momentum, we have seen doctors, nurses, public representatives, and health service managers all come on board to affirm their support for a move to Merlin Park.
“While I also completely support the upgrading of the Accident and Emergency Department at UHG, this is an interim measure that will not solve the capacity issues at the hospital.
“We have a responsibility to progress a plan for a new acute hospital in Galway – not just for the thousands of people who remain on waiting lists – but also for future generations, whose healthcare needs cannot be met unless adequate infrastructure is now put in place.
“We need to move away from ‘short-termism’ and reactionary decision making and put in place a plan what will, over time, deliver the type of healthcare provision that the people of the West deserve.
“Minister Harris’ support is, of course, crucial if any such proposals are to become a reality. I welcome his statement today as the first signal of top-level backing for the use of Merlin Park as part of a solution to our health crisis,” she said.
Minister Harris was scheduled to visit University Hospital Galway (UHG) on Monday, but this was cancelled due to changes in Dáil and government business.
However, he issued a statement recognising the capacity and overcrowding problems that the hospital has experienced recently, and assured patients that work is ongoing to provide a solution.
Significantly, he indicated that he would be engaging with stakeholders to establish how the Merlin Park site may be used as part of a solution in the medium term.
“I look forward to engaging with stakeholders about the more medium-term needs of the health service in Galway including how best the Merlin Park site can be utilised, in conjunction with University Hospital Galway, in the interests of Galway patients,” he said.
Deputy Naughton, who is a member of the Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Healthcare, said that she has met with Minister Harris on several occasions to discuss proposals for the use of Merlin Park in recent months in the course of her campaign.
She said that the public statement from the Minister in this regard was hugely significant and she expects further top-level engagement in the coming months on the issue.
“This is not a surprise. It very much reflects the attitude and position that Simon has taken in our private discussions in relation to this matter.
“But his decision to publicly indicate his willingness to explore this proposal is a big step and is most welcome,” she said.
“It’s just as important that we have the support of the vast majority of clinicians, whose expertise and knowledge of the challenges and reality of our regional health service is invaluable.
“We have to listen to those who know our health service best in order to devise a solution that will provide for the current and future healthcare needs of our population,” added Deputy Naughton.