Health chiefs have conceded that a new emergency department for Galway has hit another delay, despite the existing facilities creaking under ‘record breaking’ numbers.

A meeting of Regional Health Forum heard on Tuesday that while it was accepted that there was an urgent requirement for a new ED, the Department of Health had requested a masterplan for the UHG site which would delay progress.

With more than 300 people attending the ED on Monday of this week, the meeting was told that the current facilities were under “severe pressure”.

On foot of a question from City Councillor John Connolly (FF), HSE Regional Executive Officer Tony Canavan said delivering the new ED and women and children’s block formed part of a series of developments planned for the UHG site.

In addition to the ED which will house a new women and children’s block on upper floors, new laboratories and a cancer centre incorporating additional beds were also slated for construction on what was “a very complex site”.

“We have to look at all three in their own right and determine how we deliver each of these while also delivering care on a 24/7 basis. It is very complex,” said Mr Canavan, adding that while it would take longer, the masterplan was a necessary step.

Caption: The current Emergency Department at UHG.

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