Hospital Facilities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Questions (2780)

Noel Grealish

Question:

2780. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health when construction of the two new operating theatres at Merlin Park Hospital, Galway is completed, if the full capacity of staff will be available including consultant anaesthetists, nursing staff and elective beds to ensure that the new operating theatres can operate at full capacity and address the long waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery; when the new operative theatres will be operating at full capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39119/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

The two orthopaedic theatres under construction at Merlin Park University Hospital Galway are replacement theatres and are due for completion by the end of the year. They are expected to be equipped and in operation early in 2022. Some extra staff are being sought to facilitate an increase in the number of sessions per week that will be undertaken in the theatres.