Galway Bay FM News Archives
Galway hospitals outpatient waiting list close to 35,000
Date Published: 27-Apr-2011
Outpatient waiting lists at Galway’s two main public hospitals continue to swell by more than 300 a week – almost 35,000 people are on waiting lists, greater than a capacity crowd at Pearse Stadium.
The Health Service Executive West’s latest figures show there are 27,344 people on outpatient waiting lists for University Hospital Galway (UHG) and a further 7,455 are on the outpatient waiting list at Merlin Park Hospital.
The combined number on outpatient waiting lists between the two city hospitals was 34,799 in April 2011, a figure described as a “scandal” by the chairperson of the Regional Health Forum West, City Councillor Pádraig Conneely.
This represents an increase of 10,493 – or 43% – in the eight months since September 2010, when the list stood at 24,306.
It is a 51% increase on January of the previous year, when the outpatient waiting list stood at 23,020.
The figures are alarming when it is considered that more than 300 additional patients are being added to the outpatient list every week.
The increase in the numbers on the outpatient list is an “alarming scandal”, said Cllr Conneely.
And the HSE West has conceded that the lists will continue to grow before the situation improves.
In an interview with the Connacht Tribune, Dr David O’Keeffe, Clinical Director, Acute Services and Continuing Care for Galway and Roscommon hospitals, said that an innovative plan to increase the numbers of clinics at UHG, which would have tackled the waiting lists problem, had to be shelved due to staff shortages.
Dr O’Keeffe explained that former Health Minister Mary Harney’s plan last year to reduce numbers within the health service, resulted in 51 personnel taking on the offer of early retirement and early redundancy in the six weeks leading up to Christmas.
It may not sound like a lot, given 3,000 people are employed in UHG, but it has severely hampered the hospital’s ability to treat patients, he said.
See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.
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