asked the Minister for Health if he is in agreement with the recommendations of Comhairle na n-Ospidéal on the downgrading of Merlin Park Regional Hospital, Galway; and if he considers those proposals are a retrograde step in the development of the health services in the Western Health Board area.
Written Answers. - Galway Regional Hospital.
128.
The purpose of the study of surgical facilities in Galway by Comhairle na nOspidéal was to determine how these services could be strengthened and improved. The comhairle concluded that a true regional service in surgery had not yet developed in Galway, mainly because a comprehensive range or specialist services had not been developed on a single campus. It was recommended that a regional centre on a single site backed up by a full range of support services is essential to the long term survival of Galway as a major teaching cum regional specialist centre and to this end some surgical services should be transferred immediately from Merlin Park to the Newcastle site.
These proposals were not put forward to downgrade Merlin Park Regional Hospital but rather to improve surgical services in Galway. The proposals have been accepted by the Western Health Board and I have informed both the board and Comhairle na nOspidéal that I fully accept the recommendations.