Patients attending the new outpatients’ department in Merlin Park are struggling to find parking in what was previously a hospital campus which had escaped fees and congestion.

Several Galway councillors raised the vexed issue of parking at Merlin Park since the opening of the outpatients building on February 10 at the bi-monthly Regional Health Forum meeting this week.

Thew were told by management that there are currently 73 dedicated parking spaces, including six disability spaces, outside the facility with pay and display parking introduced to ensure a turnover of spaces.

Councillor Eileen Mannion (FG) said while the relocation of the services from the overloaded Newcastle campus was welcome, she had been contacted by constituents concerned about the lack of parking and connectivity.

“Has there been contact with Bus Éireann to ensure that there is an adequate service from Eyre Square to facilitate people using public transport to get to the city and need a connection to the hospital? Why was there no plan put in place, before the opening of the unit, for parking to facilitate the extra numbers attending Merlin Park?”

Independent Cllr Evelyn Francis Parsons said she knew of one constituent who had to double park as there were no parking spaces available and could not accompany their frail relative to the appointment.

“I’m told there’s a lot of concerns coming to the entrance and exit at the moment,”

Ann Cosgrove, Integrated Health Area Manager for Galway and Roscommon, said Galway University Hospitals were working off a mobility management plan for the site.

“As of March 20, the phase 1a carpark west of the surgical hub will be available for use by staff and patients or visitors. Please note that this will be a temporary measure until the surgical hub is operational, further communications will issue at that time regarding its use.

“There are 39 additional parking spaces which will be provided in the near future on the site as part of the surgical hub project,” she told councillors.

She said the hospital management team did link with Bus Éireann and notified them of the route change on the site when the one-way system was being introduced.

Patients can now avail of a hospital shuttle bus service between 7am and 9pm, Monday to Friday, which crosses the city every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes in off-peak from University Hospital Galway (UHG) to Merlin Park Hospital.

“This is outlined on the outpatient appointment letters which are sent to all patients.”

The site was served by the 402 which runs on a frequent basis into the city and on to UHG, serving across the city as far as Knocknacarra, running every 30 minutes from 6.30 am to 11pm. “We are aware that there are ‘city connect’ plans underway and as part of this we are informed that a link with Oranmore and the train station will be provided. Further proposals are being considered for the site.”

In answer to another question submitted at the forum by City Councillor Shane Forde (FG), management revealed that just 14 sessions at the Orthopaedic Theatres in Merlin Park are currently operating even though they have funding for 20 sessions per week.

“Active recruitment is ongoing to engage staffing to bring theatres to the full 20 sessions per week as funded. Patients are being outsourced if accepted to Kingsbridge Hospitals in Derry and Belfast and also if suitable to the Galway Clinic and the Bon Secours,” Ms Cosgrove told the meeting.

Pictured: Parking problems: The new outpatients’ unit at Merlin Park Hospital.