Public is behind University Hospital Galway expansion
There is huge appetite among the general public for the Emergency Department at University Hospital Galway to be upgraded and expanded, according to newly published research.
Results of a recent four-week public consultation conducted on behalf of UHG found strong support for overall plans to develop the West’s only Model 4, including a new ED.
That said, local concerns remain regarding parking at the Newcastle site and the location of the planned new helipad.
A Development Control Plan for UHG sets out the blueprint for transforming the UHG campus to meet healthcare needs through to 2045.
Over time, the project will deliver 300 additional inpatient beds alongside the construction of a new ED, critical care unit, new surgical theatres, a cancer centre, laboratory, a women’s and children’s block and a new permanent helipad.
The HSE engaged Jacobs, a private consultancy firm, to conduct a public consultation to raise awareness about and gauge support for the plans.
There was extensive engagement about the plan, according to the findings, which said more than 33,000 leaflets were delivered to over 9,000 properties in Galway.
A total of 157 submissions were received from the public: 94 per cent online (148) and six per cent in writing (nine respondents), including two 'as Gaeilge'.
In addition, the project team engaged directly with over 247 participants across nine events and sessions, combining targeted briefings, webinars and two community drop-in events.
“The purpose of the consultation was to present the Development Control Plan to local communities, businesses and public representatives and encourage all interested stakeholders to have their say on the future of the hospital, including the location of the helipad,” a spokesperson said.
The survey results noted there was “strong overall support” for the hospital development, “driven by a shared perception that existing facilities are outdated and inadequate for the growing population”.
About two-thirds of all respondents mentioned the need to upgrade emergency services “with overcrowding in the Emergency Department (ED) identified as a critical risk to patient safety”.
Around 60% of comments “highlighted the urgent need for modernisation and increased capacity, with many describing the hospital as ‘not fit for purpose’ and stressing the need for future-proofed facilities”, it said.
Many respondents highlighted “significant concerns” about parking and access to UHG describing the current arrangements as “stressful, costly, and inadequate”.
The survey results indicated that many respondents stressed the need for increased parking capacity.
According to the report, this desire “aligns” with the UHG expansion plans, which includes plans for underground parking within the basements of new buildings, with possibly 400 new spaces planned.
The proposed helipad location “generated concerns related to noise, traffic, and the loss of community amenities” the report found.
“Respondents requested clear justification for the chosen site and assurances that measures would be taken to minimise community impact,” the survey found.
It added that the preferred site of the helipad, “was identified as the only location that meets all clinical, infrastructural and aviation safety criteria, while also providing the immediate proximity to critical care required for safe and rapid patient transfers”.
Calls for better mental health services on the site – including a dedicated ED for mental health emergencies – appear to have been ruled out in the consultation.
“While there were repeated calls for strengthened mental health services including proposals for a dedicated Mental Health Emergency unit, a 24/7 crisis care centre, and increased capacity through additional beds and specialist staff, these suggestions are not feasible within the current model,” the report said.
The service model is focused on developing community-based supports that reduce the need for Emergency Department attendance, and on enhancing the existing ED infrastructure for those who do attend,” the report added.
It is encouraging to know there is strong public support to modernise and enhance the hospital
It noted a high level of overall support for the proposed plan: 45% of respondents were very supportive, 24% somewhat supportive, 13% were neutral, 7% somewhat unsupportive, and about 5% were unsupportive.
Chris Kane, UHG Manager, welcomed the public’s engagement.
“It is encouraging to know there is strong public support to modernise and enhance the hospital and we are committed to continued engagement with all stakeholders as we move forward,” she said.
Ann Cosgrove, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager for HSE Galway and Roscommon said the development of UHG and Merlin Park was “essential to address several healthcare challenges in our region including future demands”.
“In line with the Masterplan for major capital development across both UHG and Merlin Park campuses, high volume, low complexity cases such as elective, day case procedures and outpatient services will move to Merlin Park,” she said.
"Complex acute care, oncology, maternity and paediatric inpatient care will remain in UHG.
"Combined, these major capital projects will deliver state-of-the-art clinical facilities and transform the care we provide to patients,” she added.
A Development Control Plan for UHG, as well as an associated Strategic Assessment Review, has been completed and is approved by the HSE Board. The DCP and SAR were subsequently submitted to the Department of Health for review in mid-2025. Positive feedback has been received from the Department and a solid base from which to procure individual projects is now in place.
HSE Capital and Estates are currently in the process of procuring a Design Team for delivery of the Merlin Park Development Control Plan.