Galway Bay fm newsroom - HSE officials are planning to extend working hours in a bid to deal with growing waiting lists for endoscopy treatment at UHG.
The matter was raised at the Regional Health Forum West where city councillor Terry O'Flaherty raised concerns that GUH is listed as having the highest numbers of patients on the national waiting list.
Chief Operating Officer Ann Cosgrove told the forum 1726 patients were recorded as waiting in mid March.
She said while urgent scopes are being prioritised, there are plans to extend working hours, as well as the possibility of introducing a third procedure room.
Officials are also considering the use of the Roscommon Hospital site to reduce lists.
The meeting also heard that 292 endoscopies and colonoscopies were carried out under the National Treatment Purchase Fund at the end of 2016.
180 of these were carried out at Galway Clinic while 112 were completed at Bon Secours Hospital.
City councillor Terry O'Flaherty says the lists must be tackled as early detection is key.
