Galway Bay FM News Archives
Woman ready to give birth put in maternity toilet
Date Published: 23-Jun-2011
by Bernie Ní Fhlatharta
A woman in labour was forced to wait in a toilet of the Maternity Unit at University Hospital Galway this week due to chronic overcrowding.
This happened in a week when the number of patients on trolleys in the A&E department reached an all-time high of 39 yesterday, the highest in the whole country; while an 80 years old stroke victim spent 34 hours on a trolley at the A&E over the weekend.
When the Galway mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, arrived into the Maternity Unit on Tuesday night, the waiting room was so crowded with other women in labour that she was offered the adjacent toilet as the only other space for her to wait until she was admitted.
She did eventually get into a labour ward to deliver a bouncing baby boy, but yesterday, another woman, who was in the early stages of labour, was sent home because there was no bed for her.
The closure of about 100 beds in the hospital due to staff shortages has taken its toll on the Emergency Department in the past year especially, and though there are about 3,500 babies born a year in the Galway hospital, reports of overcrowding in the Maternity Unit are rare.
Yesterday, Councillor Catherine Connolly, who is a member of the HSE Regional Health Forum, described the current overcrowding at the hospital as “barbaric” and worried what the next crisis would be.
“The consequences of closing beds – over 140 between UHG and Merlin Park – and wards is that we are going from one hospital crisis to another.
“It is leading to a great personal cost and waiting lists are growing out of all proportions. I am not holding staff responsible but the management based policy,” she added.
For more on this story, see the Galway City 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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