Galway Bay fm newsroom - Galway University Hospital, Portiuncula University Hospital and Community Healthcare West are to implement a Joint Winter Plan.
It looks to increase staff recruitment, along with investment in beds.
As part of the plan, UHG will recruit staff in several departments, including 3 additional Emergency Medicine Consultants, an Occupational Therapist and Senior Physiotherapist.
A social worker will be recruited to address stays of over 2 weeks, while additional hours will be given for a Medical Social Worker and Consultant Geriatrician.
There will also be an investment to support the use of 20 private beds.
Portiuncula University Hospital is to hire a Clinical Nurse Manager and Senior Pharmacist for the ED, as well as two healthcare assistants and a data analyst.
Both hospitals will work with Community Healthcare West to provide rehabilitation, respite beds and short-stay beds to target admission avoidance and rapid discharge
