Timeline revealed for completion of major works at MUH
There are no major capital projects due for completion at Mayo University Hospital (MUH) until the end of 2027 despite serious overcrowding issues at the hospital, members of the Regional Health Forum West were told last week.
“We are really talking about 2028. That’s three years. It’s a long time for people to be lying on trolleys,” Cllr Michael Kilcoyne commented. “You are kind of planning that people will be lying on trolleys for at least the next three years, maybe more,” he added.
The meeting heard that a bed expansion programme at MUH is in train with 96 additional beds earmarked for the facility.
There are no major capital projects due for completion at MUH before the end of 2027. The new emergency department and acute medical assessment unit (AMAU) are currently in the detailed design stage. The estimated date for the completion of the construction phase is Q4 2028 but Forum members were told the planning and design process can be lengthy and time-consuming.
“I fail to understand why straightforward buildings in every case have to come through the same procedure every time,” Cllr Kilcoyne remarked.
Tony Canavan, Chief Executive of the Saolta Hospital Group, said extra bed capacity is only part of the solution at MUH.
“There are programmes of service improvement that are being implemented today at MUH to try and improve the flow within the hospital both for patients being admitted and when it comes to the type of discharge."
He said enhanced community care programmes are also being implemented.
“I completely agree and there is nobody who would argue that we don’t need beds on every one of our hospital sites in order to address capacity issues properly and fundamentally,” Mr Canavan added.
“The main thing is, it’s taking too long,” said Cllr Kilcoyne.
On one day last week, 20 patients were left on trolleys at MUH with eight ambulances backed up.
"This is not just an overcrowding issue - it is an emergency," said Independent Cllr Harry Barrett. "Lives are being put at risk due to a health system that is failing the people of Castlebar and the county.
“Despite repeated promises, there has been little progress on expanding the emergency department. Worse still, no meaningful action has been taken to address the core issue - our county simply does not have enough doctors. Patients and frontline healthcare workers are bearing the brunt of this failure while government representatives remain silent."
