HSE accused of hospital parking planning breach

The Saolta University Health Care Group could be in breach of planning permission if they provide extra hospital beds in older wards at University Hospital Galway once the new 75-bed ward block is completed.

The possible breach was pointed out to the hospital management at this week’s meeting of the HSE West Regional Forum by Councillor Pádraig Conneely, who said he was unhappy with the “spin” that was being put on the story about new beds.

He said management had learned nothing from the past and that the culture of secrecy and denial continued.

Cllr Conneely had asked for confirmation that the new ward block at UHG contained only replacement beds and despite €18million being spent on the development, would not open one extra bed for the overcrowded hospital.

Cllr Conneely stressed that he welcomed the new development, but took exception to the impression given by hospital management that between 25 to 30 extra beds would be provided.

Referring to a senior planner’s report from Galway City Council, he said that a planning condition required Saolta to provide one car parking space per bed and that this would not be the case if more beds were opened.

Cllr Conneely said he was perplexed as to how the hospital could provide new beds without adhering to the planning condition.

“I was being deliberately misled. This new block is not ‘substantially replacement beds’ as you are now saying one of the older wards due to be closed may be used for essential maintenance, storage and services.”

But Tony Canavan, Chief Officer and Ann Cosgrove, Chief Operating Officer both insisted that they were being upfront and honest.

Ms Cosgrove said there was nothing in the planning conditions which stipulated how the old wards were to be used by the hospital and that to meet over capacity, they may use one of the wards to provide extra beds if required.

Cllr Conneely and Cllr Tim Broderick both pointed out that if that were the case, the hospital was not in compliance with planning conditions.