Call for probe after Merlin leak causes cancellation of eight hundred procedures

Thu, Sep 21, 2017

A call has been made for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the closure this week of operating theatres in Merlin Park Hospital after the discovery of major leaks in the roof structure.

Fianna Fail Galway City councillor Peter Keane has called for the probe after the closure was ordered by the HSE’s Micro-Biology Department which condemned the theatres after the discovery of the leaks.Cllr Keane said that within the last year the HSE awarded a €1m contract for the installation of an air-conditioning and air-purification upgrade together with refurbishment works to waterproof the roof structure at Merlin Park Hospital as was required under the integration of modern standards within the hospital.

“However, clearly this problem has arisen as a result of said works which is totally and utterly unacceptable. On an annual basis there are more than 3,200 orthopaedic procedures carried out in Merlin Park and the closure of theatre space at the hospital will result in the immediate cancellation of over 800 orthopaedic procedures scheduled between now and the year-end.