The idea of locating a cemetery on the grounds of a city hospital has been nipped in the bud.
Galway City Council and Saolta discussed the possibility of a land swap allowing the local authority to create a new cemetery on the grounds of Merlin Park University Hospital.
However, the site in question is located beside the planned new Galway Hospice and other existing services for older people and it was deemed “inappropriate”.
The idea was floated by City Council officials at a meeting with representatives of Saolta University Healthcare Group, which comprise seven West of Ireland hospitals, in July.
Minutes of the meeting were released to the Galway City Tribune following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
Director of Services, Tom Connell and Ann Cosgrove Chief Operating Officer at Saolta were present at the meeting when “the query regarding land swap for cemetery on MPUH site was also raised”.
“It was outlined that it would not be considered appropriate to have a cemetery adjacent to hospice, (and) community nursing long-stay unit given the sensitive nature of the services and patient profiles involved,” the minutes stated.
The Council has been trying to find alternative sites for a new graveyard on the east side of the city.
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