Planning granted for Portiuncula Emergency Department extension

A €12m extension to the emergency department at Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe has been granted planning approval by Galway County Council.

The enhanced emergency department will see the addition of nine new treatment bays, providing much needed improved facilities for both staff and patients at the hospital.

The development will consist of a new 310m² single story extension to the existing emergency department with a rooftop plant room and internal refurbishment of the existing department, while a new gynaecology treatment room and associated staff and clinical support facilities has been incorporated into the newly approved plans.

As part of the development, the existing emergency department will undergo a series of phased internal refurbishment works to provide additional patient treatment cubicles, a reconfigured storage and staff support facilities and modernised staff changing facilities.

The extension will also link into the existing building by way of a new accessible reception, leading to a newly formed dedicated paediatric waiting area and toilet facilities. This will improve segregation of paediatrics in the department.

At the existing lower ground floor level, a new public entrance lobby with security room will be formed adjacent to a reconfigured ambulance drop-off and set-down area.

The works will also include a reconfiguration of the existing internal campus two-way traffic flow to become a one-way traffic flow in the vicinity of the Emergency Department extension, formation of a new accessible set-down area, reconfigured ambulance drop-off areas and works to form a new pedestrian crossing and improve accessibility and safety around the immediate site.

Galway County Council granted planning approval to the applicant HSE West for the development at Portiuncula University Hospital subject to 13 conditions, one of which stipulates that the external finishes of the extension shall match the existing hospital in respect of the materials and colour, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the planning authority.

A second condition stipulates the completion of a pre and and post development road audit in the interest of public safety.

Prior to the submission of the planning application, James Keane, General Manager Portiuncula University Hospital, said that if approval for the proposed development was successful, "the next steps will be to proceed to tender and appointment of a contractor for the construction of the building".