UHG Development Plans FAQ

1. What is the UHG DCP Project? 

The UHG DCP (Development Control Plan) Project is a major redevelopment initiative at University Hospital Galway aimed at modernising and expanding critical healthcare infrastructure to meet current and future patient needs and will guide the hospital campus development through to 2045. 

It is an ambitious Masterplan for the hospital which includes a state-of-the-art cancer centre, 300 new inpatient beds, a new ED and enhanced maternity services. All designed to improve patient experience and care delivery.

2. Why is this plan necessary? 

The hospital is facing increasing demand for services. It is a regional tertiary hospital serving a large and diverse population of over 850,000. Existing infrastructure is under pressure due to increasing demand, ageing facilities, and evolving clinical needs. The DCP project responds to these challenges by delivering a future-ready healthcare environment with modern state-of-the-art facilities that support safe, efficient, and high-quality specialised care. 

3. What are the main benefits of the project? 

• Faster Emergency Response: A permanent helipad will enable quicker transfers to critical care areas like the Emergency Department and critical care, improving outcomes for time-sensitive cases.
• Future-Ready Infrastructure: The helipad supports long-term development plans for UHG, helping future-proof emergency access and hospital operations for the next 40 years.
• State-of-the-Art Cancer Centre: A new ambulatory cancer centre will provide advanced outpatient oncology services. An ambulatory cancer centre provides cancer treatment and supportive care without requiring patients to be admitted to the hospital overnight.
• Modern Maternity Services: Facilities will be designed around patient needs, improving comfort and care.
• Improved Patient Flow: Streamlined layouts will reduce transfer times and enhance coordination between departments.
• Enhanced Infection Control: Purpose-built spaces will support best-practice infection prevention and patient safety.
• Advanced Diagnostics: New laboratory and radiology facilities will enable faster, more accurate clinical decisions.
• Expanded Bed Capacity: Two new ward blocks will add 300 acute beds, with space for future maternity and diagnostic services.
• New Emergency Department: A modern department will support rapid triage and treatment.

4. What services will be included in the new development? 

The plan includes: 

• A new Helipad to facilitate dual emergency landings
• Two new Ward Blocks, each providing 150 acute beds with shell and core floors for later
• Refurbishments including maternity and diagnostic services

• An Ambulatory Cancer Centre, providing cancer treatment and supportive care without requiring patients to be admitted to the hospital overnight.
• A new Laboratory Block
• A new Emergency Department, Critical Care and Surgical block
• Improved transport routes
• Replacement Paediatric/Maternity Unit
• Modern facilities for staff, research and education

5. How long will the project take? 

The project will be delivered in phases. Timelines may be adjusted based on planning, construction, and operational requirements. The Development Control Plan is designed to be programmatic in nature and, following consultation with stakeholders and the community, individual projects with be designed in greater detail and progressed through the planning application process. We expect the helipad project to be completed by Q1 2028 and construction to commence on Ward Blocks A and B in Q1 2029.

6. How much will the project cost?

The overall Capital Cost of the projects identified in the plan has been estimated at €4-5 billion. this includes two 150 Bed Ward Blocks, Maternity Suite, Radiology Suite, Medical Laboratory, Ambulatory Cancer Centre & new Emergency Department, Critical Care and Surgical Block. Funding is being provided through a combination of government investment and provides through the HSE capital plan.   

7. Will hospital services be disrupted during construction? 

Efforts will be made to minimise disruption and a construction traffic management plan will be in place. Phased construction and temporary service adjustments will be communicated in advance to ensure continuity of care. 

8. Why is it necessary to relocate the helipad?

A permanent and fully safety compliant helipad base is essential to progress the transformative plans for UHG. It’s critical for emergency access and saving lives and will support the delivery of advanced healthcare services.

UHG is Ireland’s busiest hospital for helicopter medical emergencies. Its helipad handles over 200 emergency landings annually. It allows faster emergency transfers and support future expansion of services. The current helipad needs to be relocated so that future building work can take place.  This essential development will benefit patients and staff, improve hospital efficiency, and ensure the facility is ready to serve future generations. The relocation supports the hospital’s long-term development and helps future-proof its operations for the next 40 years. 

9. Why was the proposed site selected for the relocation of the helipad? 

A comprehensive Options Appraisal was conducted to assess potential locations for the helipad relocation on and off campus, including rooftops.

The preferred site was identified as the most appropriate from both a clinical and aviation safety perspective, ensuring optimal access and safety for patient transfers and emergency operations.

This site was chosen because:

• It is directly beside the hospital for safe and efficient patient transfer
• Every second counts when transporting to critical care
• Meets global safety and aviation requirements for all aeromedical helicopters
• Allows for clear and safe flight paths
• Provides required space for dual landings
• The helipad design incorporates safety areas and obstacle-free zones required by aviation standards.
• Allows critical healthcare infrastructure in the UHG Development Control Plan to proceed without obstruction
• Minimises impact on future hospital development blocks
• Is facilitated as a medical helipad location in the Galway City Development Plan 2023–2029.
• New helicopters have steeper approach angles, reducing restrictions on nearby buildings/obstacles

​10. What other sites were considered for the helipad and why were they discounted?

A number of potential on-campus and nearby off-campus locations were assessed based on proximity to University Hospital Galway (UHG), existing infrastructure, safety concerns and the ability to meet helipad requirements.

Seven sites were shortlisted:

• Four on UHG campus lands
• One adjacent to the campus (Shantalla Park)
• Two off-campus options for completeness (South Park and St. Mary’s College)

Following a detailed multi-criteria evaluation by HSE Capital & Estates, clinical staff, the National Ambulance Service, and aviation experts, the preferred location is next to the Seamus Quirke roundabout on a combination of HSE and Galway City Council land.

The preferred site in the only location which satisfactorily addressed all criteria under the Clinical, Infrastructural and Aviation Safety Categories. It is vital that the helipad is next to critical care for quick transfers. When every second counts in critical care transfers, other potential sites could mean that transfers were delayed due to traffic, for example.

The preferred site in the only location which satisfactorily addressed all criteria under the Clinical, Infrastructural and Aviation Safety Categories.

11. Does this mean there will be more flights to the helipad, and will there be an increase in noise for residents?

UHG is Ireland’s busiest Hospital for helicopter medical emergencies. Its Helipad handles over 200 emergency landings annually.

The number of flights is not expected to significantly increase.

Increasing the size of UHG will have minimal impact on helicopter landings.The new helipad location will also facilitate dual landings, safely

Helicopter landings at the hospital predominately bring patients to the hospital and are caused by incidents and accidents occurring elsewhere in the region., but it also helps to ensure swift transfer of emergencies from Galway to specialist centres in Dublin.

The new helicopters being used by emergency flights such as the coastguard and the ambulance service are actually smaller and quieter. These are being introduced in 2026. The largest helicopter previously used (Sikorsky S92) is being replaced with a model that's about two thirds of the current size and this resulting in reduced noise, downwash, and vibration.

Around 90% of flights occur during normal daytime hours.

12. Why not situate the Helipad on the roof?

A comprehensive Options Appraisal was conducted to assess potential locations for the helipad relocation on and off campus, including rooftops. Rose Aviation and the air ambulance service have been instrumental in all the discussions and designs.

The preferred site was identified as the most appropriate from both a clinical and aviation safety perspective, ensuring optimal access and safety for patient transfers and emergency operations.

A rooftop option cannot be progressed at this stage in the development as it would not give direct access to the Emergency Department impacting on clinical safety.

A helipad in this phase would also restrict future building, which is critical to ensure modern healthcare facilities can be provided for the region. Putting the helipad on one of the first two bed blocks would significantly impede the construction of subsequent new buildings including the ED/Critical Care Building, as the cranes needed to construct these blocks would impede the flight paths to that helipad.

A major factor is the need for enough space to accommodate dual landings. This is required as Galway is the busiest Hospital helipad in the country.

A rooftop landing pad would never be able to accommodate dual landings. As such we will always require a dual heliport on campus with a designed route to theatres and ED.

Existing buildings were also considered, however, they cannot support the structural requirements of a helipad.

13. How will this plan improve patient safety? 

New facilities will be designed to meet modern infection control standards, reduce overcrowding, and support safer clinical workflows, ultimately improving patient outcomes. 

14. What impact will this have on employees? 

Employees will benefit from improved working environments, enhanced facilities, better clinical adjacencies, and access to advanced technologies, supporting more efficient and effective care delivery. 

15. What impact and benefits will the project have for the local community? 

The UHG DCP project is expected to bring both short-term and long-term impacts to the local community. In the short term, there may be temporary disruptions due to construction activities, such as increased traffic, noise, and restricted access in certain areas.

In the long term, the project will deliver significant benefits, including improved emergency healthcare infrastructure, faster patient transfers through a permanent helipad, and enhanced access to specialised care. These improvements will strengthen health services for the region, support better patient outcomes, and contribute to the overall resilience of the healthcare system. 

Discussions are also continuing with Galway City Council on potential community benefits. Investigations and planning are ongoing, and any benefit will require Board approval

16. Is there expected to be any impact on the Bus Connects Galway Project?

The DCP plans and layouts does provide sufficient space for the Bus Connects Project and a dedicated access route has been included. HSE is discussing Bus Connects and the impact it could have on the expanding hospital with Galway City Council and this is continuing to be reviewed in detail.

17. Who have you consulted or engaged with so far?

We have been actively engaging with Galway City Council, local authorities, and community representatives throughout the planning process, and this engagement will continue as the project progresses, including upcoming public sessions at St Joseph’s Community Centre, Shantalla.

18. How can stakeholders and the public stay informed? 

Regular updates will be provided through dedicated project channels:

Website:  https://www.saolta.ie/content/uhg-public-consultation

Email:  UHGconsultation@Jacobs.com

Members of the public and stakeholders are invited to attend our engagement sessions at St Joseph’s Community Centre, Shantalla, on Monday, 24 November, and Saturday, 29 November 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.