60 surge rie s a we e kcance lle d as the atre s stay close d

THE HSE has been criticised over delays in reopening vital operating theatres in a Galway hospital which have been closed since last September.

The theatres were forced to close as a result of a leak in operating theatres in the Merlin Park hospital, which led to the cancellation of all elective orthopaedic surgery.

However, while the damage was fixed in November, the theatres remain closed almost two months later.

It is understood a clinical risk assessment, which must be carried out on the building, has yet to take place – despite having been requested in early November.

Galway councillor Padraig Conneely, who is a member of the Regional Health Forum, hit out at the delay saying it highlighted a lack of urgency in the HSE on the issue.

Up to 60 surgeries have been cancelled each week since September 13 of last year as a result of the theatre closures.

“I understand the theatres had to close to carry out repair works but that has been completed since November. I do not understand why we are still looking at closed theatres with the number of cancellations growing all the time.

“It’s well over 700 cases of people having surgeries cancelled now and it is having a major impact on people’s lives,” Mr Conneely said.

He said he raised the issue with the chief operating officer of the Saolta Health Group, which oversees the hospital, in late December.

He was informed a request had been made for the clinical risk assessment in November but that they were still awaiting a reply setting out when this would take place.

“There is just no sense of urgency in this entire matter. The HSE are aware that these theatres are closed since September, surely they can schedule a proper assessment to get them reopened.

“I can’t understand how in this circumstance you could still be waiting for a response to a request made in November. Can someone not pick up the phone and get an answer?” he said.

The HSE did not respond to queries on the matter yesterday.