Councillor slams ‘unconscionable’ delay to Mayo hospital ED extension

Independent councillor Harry Barrett has sharply criticised the ongoing delay in moving to tender for the second phase of the Emergency Department (ED) extension at Mayo University Hospital (MUH), describing the situation as “totally unconscionable.”

Cllr Barrett said any suggestion that authorities are waiting to assess the impact of the new minor injuries clinic in Ballina before progressing the project is misguided.

It is believed that to relieve pressure on the emergency department in Castlebar, the new minor injuries unit needs to be operational in north Mayo to reduce numbers while work is being carried out.

“If they are waiting to see how the Ballina minor injuries clinic affects numbers, they are wasting their time,” Barret said.

“The new extension in Mayo University Hospital will help, but it will not solve the problem until they deal with the GP crisis.”

He warned that stalling the project – particularly if tied to monitoring attendance changes in Ballina, is “totally wrong and needs calling out.”

His comments come during a week when a new flu variant is contributing to a surge in hospital admissions, further highlighting pressure on emergency services in the county.