HSE launch investigation into discovery of medical waste on N17

By JACQUELINE HOGGE THE discovery of medical waste dumped by the side of one of Galway's busiest roads has raised alarm this week with public health officials investigating the incident on the outskirts of Tuam. A dozen medical pouches, containing tubed catheter bags full of urine, were discarded on the N17 at Kilcloghans earlier this week. The grim discovery was made on Tuesday morning by a man who was walking in the area.[private] No personal details were recorded on the pouches and it is unclear where they came from. While some were lying on the hard shoulder, others were discovered on nearby land, where livestock are grazing. A local health professional said it was an extremely unusual case, as medical waste of such a nature is normally disposed of by incineration. It is believed the waste may belong to a private individual as hospitals and care homes enlist the services of specialist companies to carry out the disposal of clinical waste. Galway County Councillor Tom McHugh, who lives locally, described the incident as appalling and said a full investigation would have to take place to find out who was responsible. 'The issue of illegal dumping has been getting progressively worse in recent years but this incident, whereby it's medical waste involved, brings a much more serious dimension to it,' he said. 'I will be contacting the Environmental Health section of Galway County Council along with the Public Health Office but the fact this is a public health issue means the HSE will have to carry out an investigation. 'I would also urge greater vigilance on the part of Galway County Council to try to apprehend people engaging in this type of activity as whoever is responsible needs to be caught.' A spokesperson for the HSE confirmed that both it and the council were investigating the incident, but said the waste concerned did not pose a risk to human health. 'HSE guidelines advise that unless there is a known or suspected infection, urine drainage bags are categorised as non-risk waste and are disposed of as domestic waste,' she said. 'It should be noted that HSE clients are advised to empty urine drainage bags prior to disposal.'[/private]