Planning Permission sought for a new 36 Bed Hospice at Merlin Park

Merlin Park Facility 2

Galway Hospice Foundation, Galway’s primary palliative care provider, has identified the need for a new hospice facility. The hospice has seen significant increases in demand for services in recent years, and the current hospice site at Renmore is no longer capable of meeting future demands for palliative care services. The hospice currently operates an 18 bed facility at Renmore, in addition to providing Home Care and Day Care services to over 730 patients.

Galway Hospice has provided in-patient services since 1997, and with the increase in demand for services in recent years, potential for the current 2-acre Renmore facility has been maximised.

A suitable site for a new state of the art 36 bed hospice in close proximity to Merlin Park University Hospital has been identified. On the 22nd of June, Galway Hospice will formally lodge an application for planning permission with Galway City Council.

The new Development will include:

  • 36 specialist palliative care beds
  • Day Care Centre
  • Therapy rooms
  • Education facilities

Chief Executive of Galway Hospice Mary Nash said: “There has been a large demand for hospice services in recent years, in both the in-patient and home-care services. The new hospice will allow us to treat a larger volume of patients, providing them with the highest standard of care in the time when they need it most.”

The rise in demand for palliative care at Galway Hospice is linked to the steady growth in population; an increase the scope of palliative care, which is now being provided at an earlier stage in the disease trajectory; and patients now receiving palliative care for a wider spectrum of diseases. The demand for hospice care is expected to continue to increase, due to the aging population of Ireland and given the rise in incidences of cancer, which are predicted to double by 2040.

The planned site for the new hospice at Merlin Park is situated away from the hospital campus. However, co-location with the hospital will be hugely beneficial for the hospice, allowing for ease in transferring vulnerable hospice patients who are receiving treatment and for other support services for the hospice including X-rays, scans, blood testing, analysis and pharmacy support services.

Mary Nash added: “The correct environment for people staying at or visiting a hospice is extremely important and encourages well-being. A home-like environment with facilities for family members, with access to outside space and gardens, provides a calm peaceful environment for both patients and their families. The Merlin Park site for the new hospice meets all these requirements and combined with the close proximity to the acute hospital makes this location ideal for the new Galway Hospice.”

The HSE agreed to sell the site at Merlin Park to Galway Hospice in 2015 and the title to the lands will be transferred once the planning permission has been obtained for the 14-acre site.

Click here to view the Pre-Planning Consultation slides.

Click here to view the Site Layout Plan.

Click here for an aerial view of the planned hospice.

Click here to view proposed inpatient room interior.

Click here to view proposed entrance.

Click here to view building exterior.

Click here to view proposed Reception area.

Click here to view Red Line Boundary.

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