Plans to expand the surgical hub of a Galway hospital have been approved this week.
Permission has been granted by Galway City Council to extend Merlin Park University Hospital’s surgical hub.
If plans are approved, the three-storey Surgical Hub building in Galway city will be expanded.
The plans would see the building extended to include a single-storey flat-roofed extension of approximately 26 m² at first-floor level of the Surgical Hub.
The plans also include minor amendments to and the relocation of an enclosed bicycle shelter from northeast of the building to the east of the building.
According to planning documents, the extension is necessary for the development of the surgical hub.
“The construction of the first two theatres in the Galway Surgical Hub is currently at an advanced stage and is due to be completed later this year,” the planning documents read.
“The HSE will fit out the second two shell and core theatres as part of the current works.
“While these theatres are part of the original build, the building must be extended slightly to ensure that they meet all clinical requirements.
“Design development identified that an impact of the first-floor extension would require the relocation of the permitted bicycle shelter to ensure safe circulation and access around the building at ground level.”
The HSE explained that these are “critical technical amendments” required to ensure the effective functioning of the facility and that it is “in full compliance with relevant Technical Healthcare Standards and Building Regulations”.
Galway City Council approved the plans with a total of five conditions attached.