Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:19. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a new MRI scanner will be provided in University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40950/17]
View answerThursday, 28 September 2017
Questions (19)
Written answers
The Saolta University Healthcare Group has advised that it recognises that the diagnostic waiting times at University Hospital Galway are unduly lengthy.
In order to address this deficit at UHG, the Saolta Group is currently undertaking a tender for a mobile MRI machine that will allow the Hospital to significantly increase its capacity to provide diagnostic scans. The Saolta Group is making every effort to progress this process and it is estimated that the process will be completed by the close of 2017.
In addition, Saolta has implemented a number of local initiatives to reduce diagnostic waiting lists and ensure that the maximum number of patients receive their procedure. The Group has introduced a 7-day a week service and an extended working day. This has resulted in an additional 52 appointments per week, which are targeted at the longest waiters. The Hospital is also outsourcing diagnostic scans to the Merlin Park Imaging Centre, where appropriate.
More broadly, there have been a number of recent and ongoing capacity initiatives at Galway University Hospitals including the completion of the new 75-bed ward block and a new acute mental health department is expected to be operational by the end of 2017. Also, considerable progress has been made on the planning phase for a new ED at UHG.
UHG is also a pilot site for the National GE Finnamore Patient Flow project and has demonstrated significant achievement in improving patient flow in the Hospital.