Galway City Council has given the green light for the construction of a major new surgical hub at Merlin Park Hospital.
The HSE sought planning permission for a three storey building, with a gross floor area of 4,265m², located to the north of the main hospital building.
This will be used to bring additional surgeries to Merlin Park Hospital, diverting them from UHG and relieving pressure on the acute hospital.
Planning permission has been granted for the development by the city council with 13 conditions attached.
One condition states that the HSE must submit details to the council on what restrictions will be used to prevent Merlin Lane being used for rat running.
Two submissions had been made by local residents who were concerned about traffic on the lane, which damages residential amenity and poses a safety hazard.
The HSE must also pay a contribution of €213,250 towards the cost of provision of public services in the area which will help facilitate this development.
The Surgical Hub will contain four main operating theatres, along with two minor procedure rooms.
Each would have a morning and afternoon session, and the plans state that they are expected to see approximately 50 – 60 patients per session.
The Surgical Hub will be a day surgery treatment facility, with patients discharged the same day as their procedure.
The plans also include a car park located north of the proposed surgery building, which will contain 108 parking spaces. A new bus stop shall also be located adjacent to the proposed building.
