Sections of Galway University Hospital may be closed today after burst pipes containing raw sewage last night led to a foul smell in parts of the hospital.
The HSE claimed there would be no disruption to services as work would be carried out throughout the night and patients would be diverted to other parts of the hospital should work be incomplete this morning.
The pipes are located underneath prefabricated buildings attached to the main building of the hospital.
The affected areas are understood to be the vascular and neurology outpatient sections. About 100 people pass through the sections daily, according to a source at the hospital.
Local Fine Gael councillor Pádraig Conneely visited the hospital last night and said the incident was “unfortunate” as it was “not good for the public perception” of hospitals. “It’s in the prefabs quite close to the entrance to the Accident and Emergency. It seems there was a problem with the sewerage under the floor.
“They have brought in a suction lorry to clear it all out. The affected areas will therefore be closed tomorrow. There are no beds in there – it’s just for examinations – but there is expensive machinery and equipment.
“They will probably have to decontaminate the area,” he added.
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