Naas Hospital To Get Prefab Endoscopy Suite While Families Still Face 24-Year-Old "Temporary" Morgue

For many patients, staff, and visitors, ambitions for the hospital "ring hollow", according to Aontú candidate for Kildare North, Una O'Connor.

The HSE has come under renewed fire following its defence of ongoing investment at Naas General Hospital (NGH).

In a statement issued to Kfm today, the HSE praised what it described as “significant work” to enhance the hospital, citing the opening of the Swan Ward in 2023 and plans for additional units in 2025 and 2027.

They said hospital senior management continue to work with HSE Estates colleagues on "numerous" capital projects across the site and that a 10-year capital blueprint for the campus is near completion.

They said the document sets out the "ambitions and key projects" to transform the hospital's campus.

The HSE also pointed to a proposed four-storey development and a long-term campus plan as evidence of progress.

While awaiting the permanent build, the NGH senior management team has submitted a request for an onsite modular endoscopy suite.

This would be located at the rear of the hospital to help address current capacity issues, according to the HSE.

The proposal will incorporate a new endoscopy suite, day surgical service unit, oncology unit and 49 single occupancy rooms which was approved by the Minister for Health this year.

But for many patients, staff, and visitors, those ambitions ring hollow, according to Aontú candidate for Kildare North, Una O'Connor.

She has accused health authorities of painting a picture that doesn’t reflect the real experience of those using the hospital.

Ms O’Connor described how the so-called “temporary morgue” - a prefab structure on site for 24 years - sits beside noisy compactor bins and refuse units, forcing bereaved relatives to navigate industrial waste on their way to say goodbye.

Inside the hospital, she said, conditions are just as alarming.

She said family rooms once intended for quiet moments with critically ill relatives have been retrofitted with extra beds, lacking oxygen points, bathrooms, or hand-washing facilities.

She argued that some visitors are left standing in corridors, clinging to privacy and dignity where neither is properly provided.

In its response, the HSE said it has prioritised the development of a new mortuary to include a chapel of rest, counselling and bereavement rooms, and support spaces for staff.

The proposal is currently awaiting appraisal at national level.

But O'Connor said the emphasis on plans and frameworks is "cold comfort" for patients and families facing an overstretched system.

She said it is a case of more "interim’ solutions and more sticking plasters.”

She said the blueprint "fails" to address urgent current deficiencies and that the hospital continues to rely on temporary structures as future plans are promoted.

A HSE spokesperson said: "The NGH development control plan, a 10-year capital blueprint for the campus is near completion. This detailed document sets out the ambitions and key projects to transform the NGH campus."

They said: "In 2024, a new four-story building on campus which will incorporate a new endoscopy suite, day surgical service unit, oncology unit and 49 single occupancy rooms which was approved by the Minister for Health. In the interim NGH senior management team has submitted a request for an onsite modular endoscopy suite to be located at the rear of the hospital."

They said the hospital  is currently "completing a Department of Health, Strategic Healthcare Investment Framework (SHIF) form in order to progress this development formally on the capital plan".

Planning permission for Phase 3 of the hospital was originally granted in 2014, with the permit extended for a further five years.

Kfm understands that permission for Phase 3 has since expired.

In queries submitted to the HSE by Kfm, there was no direct reference to Phase 3 provided by the HSE.