Sexual assault unit may be moved to Merlin Park
Health chiefs have agreed they will look at the possibility of moving Galway’s sexual assault unit (SAU) to the grounds of Merlin Park.
The SAU, which was set-up on a temporary basis in 2013, is currently based at Parkmore industrial estate.
Last week, a motion proposed by Galway City Councillor Catherine Connolly and seconded by County Councillor Mary Hoade, calling for the HSE to move the unit to Merlin Park, was passed unanimously at the Regional Health Forum meeting.
The motion said: “That this health forum calls on the HSE West and Department of Health to urgently commit to the construction of a permanent and appropriate building to house the sexual assault unit on the grounds of Merlin Park Hospital”.
Tony Canavan, chief operating officer at Saolta university hospitals group, said it was very important to get the SAU up and running in 2013.
He said that at the time it was proposed to locate it on the grounds of Merlin Park but there were issues that precluded this from happening.
Mr Canavan said he would examine the possibility again, in light of the motion, because those issues may well have been resolved, which would pave the way for the SAU to be relocated to Merlin Park.
Cllr Connolly said the unit is vital and she agreed that getting it up and running was a priority. However, she said that an industrial estate was not an appropriate location.