Galway Bay fm newsroom - 35 beds at UHG are closed, despite chronic overcrowding at the hospital.
The figure has been revealed to Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte - who says she's 'astonished' given the current crisis in the health service.
The HSE says the beds at UHG are closed to facilitate refurbishment and maintenance works.
According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, almost 680 admitted patients found themselves waiting on a trolley at UHG last month.
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That's up almost 30% on the figure for October 2016.
Deputy Anne Rabbitte says she's concerned that badly-needed beds are remaining closed for long periods of time.
