HSE accused of 'dragging its feet' on progression of new ED in MUH

A CASTLEBAR councillor has accused the HSE of 'dragging its feet' in delivering the new Emergency Department for Mayo University Hospital (MUH) after hearing that it will not go to construction in 2024.

Members of the HSE Regional Health Forum West were informed that planning permission for the new Emergency Department will be lodged with Mayo County Council before the end of the year but there was no timeline for the construction of the project.

Independent councillor Michael Kilcoyne who is a member of the Regional Health Forum told the meeting that he felt the HSE were dragging its feet on the project.

“It would appear that capital funding hasn't been sought to complete the design and tendering process and construction won't have started next year.

“It [trolley numbers] shows how urgently it's needed and I fail to understand why the estates section of the HSE is dragging its feet,” he said.

Ann Cosgrove, the Chief Operations Office with the Saolta University Health Care Group explained to Cllr Kilcoyne that until planning permission is approved they will not be applying for funding for capital funding.

“Any project requires very detailed design and the work that goes into your planning application is very substantial and that is what has been progressing this year,” she explained.

“With any project the funding is approved at each stage of the project as required. It is not guaranteed up front because costs can change as times allapse and until you go to tender you do not have the final definitive cost for the overall project. In terms of capital funding there are various stages for every project and the funding is approved as it reaches that milestone.

“This project and the plan will be going for planning application in the last quarter and it will be. That will be happening,” she said.

The meeting heard figures of the number of patients who attended the Emergency Department in MUH during 2023 and spent more than 24 hours on a trolley. Ms Cosgrove outlined that during January, March, May, July and August a total of 31 patients spent more than 24 hours on a trolley while 29 patients were on trolleys in April and 28 each in February and June.

Ms Cosgrove agreed with Cllr Kilcoyne that the figures showed an urgency for a new Emergency Department and a new ward block in MUH and they will be advocating for these.

“Absolutely and there is a very clear need for a ward block on the Mayo site and it is part of plans with estates in terms of the development and control plan and completing the feasibility study for the location of it. We more or less know where it will be completed.

“The priorities will be the lodgement of the planning applications for the ED projects which is expected to happen this quarter and the progression of a ward block on the site,” she said.

Cllr Kilcoyne added that he could not understand how the design and construction of a ward block could take so long.