Merlin Park modular theatre plan hits stumbling block

Plans for a new modular theatre building on the grounds of Merlin Park Hospital have hit a stumbling block, after Galway City Council raised concerns about the ecological impact the development would have on Merlin Woods.

The concerns come just three weeks after An Bord Pleanála overturned planning permission for the proposed Galway Hospice at Merlin.

Planners have also queried contradictions within the planning application for the modular theatres – the HSE stated the existing theatre suite will be decommissioned, but elsewhere state it is hoped the existing theatre can be utilised in the future.

Questions have also been raised about the lifespan of the pre-fabricated modular buildings.

At the end of last year, the HSE sought planning permission for a new modular theatre building on the grounds of Merlin Park Hospital, to replace existing units which were shut down in September 2017 due to a leaking roof.

Plans were lodged with the Council for the construction of a new 613 square metre building and link corridor at the main hospital building to replace the existing to theatres, which the HSE has described as “no longer fit for purpose”.

According to the planning application, the development is an “upgrade and consolidation” of the existing theatre services, with no discernible increase in staff, patient or vehicle movements.

“The proposal is for a replacement theatre suite to the main hospital building following the decommissioning of an existing theatre suite. It represents a like for like replacement in terms of operating theatre capacity.

“Once the proposed new theatres are commissioned, the existing orthopaedic theatre will no longer be in use. It is hoped that at some point in the future, the existing theatre could be utilised to help decongest the University Hospital Galway site, however, at present, no funding or plans exist for this scenario.

“The theatres will be used for orthopaedic elective activity and infrastructure in Merlin Park and will comprise two orthopaedic theatre suites. Supporting each theatre will be an anaesthetic room, pre and post-operative recovery rooms, staff changing, toilet facilities and storage,” the application reads.

However, the City Council has now sought further information from the HSE.

“In general, there is a presumption against the use of temporary buildings for the purposes of providing healthcare facilities, or indeed educational or other community facilities, in the absence of a medium to long-term plan, as this type of accommodation is unsuitable to meet long term needs of these uses.

“The applicant is asked to comment on this matter and to outline details of the intended lifespan of the proposed building, in the context of any medium to long-term strategic plans for the hospital,” planners said.

Queries were also raised about the existing theatre suite and the long-term plans for it.

“Whilst it is acknowledged that the cover letter submitted states that the proposed pre-fabricated building is to be used as replacement theatre suite to the main hospital building, following decommissioning of an existing theatre suite, the cover letter also states that it is hoped the existing theatre could be utilised at some stage in the future to help decongest University Hospital Galway.

“Hence the proposal may give rise to an increase in staff, patient and vehicle movements in future, which is contrary to what is stated on file,” the Council said.

It was also pointed out that the building would be on a greenfield site in close proximity to Merlin Woods, and that despite the application stating “the impact on flora and fauna arising from this development is deemed to be negligible”, this was not quantified by an ecological assessment.

“It is considered that, at a minimum, an ecological screening assessment should be carried out, which addresses the potential impact of the proposed development on ecology, with particular regard to normal headline issues such as local biodiversity, flora and fauna,” planners said.

A landscaping plan for the development has also been requested.

The HSE now has six months to respond to the request for further information, or the application will be deemed to be withdrawn.

The latest figures show that the waiting list for orthopaedic surgery at Merlin has grown to 1,500 people since the theatres were closed.

A group of ten orthopaedic surgeons wrote to Health Minister Simon Harris last month confirming that 1,500 patients are waiting for complex joint replacements, spinal surgery, foot and ankle and shoulder surgery and that the waiting list continues to expand exponentially.

Minister Harris said a vendor has been selected to provide the modular units, but the timeframe for the delivery of them “will be established pending the outcome of the planning application”.