A Galway TD has slammed the HSE, saying it has done nothing to develop University Hospital Galway since 2000.

"When I was Minister of State for Health, we began a Hospital Development Plan for UHG which had three phases. Phases 1 and 2 have been finished since 2000, but Phase 3 has yet to appear. They haven't even started planning Phase 3," said Fianna Fáil TD Frank Fahey.

However, a spokesperson for UHG said the hospital was currently finalising the business case for Phase 3.

According to Deputy Fahey, the major development which began at UHG in 1997 has not been continued and the hospital is being "totally neglected" by the HSE.

"The first phase included where Accident and Emergency is now, along with new theatres. Phase 2 included the new ICU, physiotherapy, the cardio surgery unit, new beds and new theatres. The top three floors were refurbished, but we are still waiting for the first two to be finished as per the plan," explained Deputy Fahey.

"I have asked Professor Drumm for the five year plan for phase 3. I am hearing from staff in those units who are concerned that they haven't been re-done since the hospital opened in the 1950s.

"New psychiatric and paediatric units are badly needed. Of course there is the question of whether the psychiatric unit should go to Merlin Park, but that's another issue. They are spending huge money doing repairs of the psychiatric unit and it's a complete waste. The psychiatric unit should be knocked down, it's old, and creepy, and inappropriate," said Deputy Fahey.

The Galway West TD also cited a need for an extra 100 beds "to cater for the extra activities that are taking place due to the appointment of a range of new consultants, the cancer developments and the removal of the orthopaedic trauma unit from Merlin Park."

"In the last five years, UHG has been neglected ? nothing has happened. There is massive money being ploughed into hospitals in the HSE, but we need them to come clean and tell us what's happening with the hospital development plan for UHG," he concluded.

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