Construction starts on new operating theatres in Merlin Park Hospital

What started as a leaking roof problem, and developed into a full-on hospital fiasco, is coming to a conclusion nearly four years later, after construction work finally began on new orthopaedic operating theatres at Merlin Park.

Galway East TD, Sean Canney (Ind) has confirmed that contractors have started on the €7 million project for purpose-built theatres.

The orthopaedic unit – which deals with hip and knee replacements, as well as spinal, ankle and shoulder surgeries – was plunged into crisis in 2017 when its operating theatre was forced to close due to a leaking roof.

Plans to introduce a replacement modular operating theatre hit a snag in 2019, and waiting lists for treatment grew to more than 7,000.

Deputy Canney – one of many local TDs who have pursued the HSE on this issue – in the past described the delay in reopening the service as “completely unacceptable”.

This week, Deputy Canney welcomed news that construction had started, and is due to open in March of next year.
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