Naughten raises lack of Ballinamore Hospital progress in Dail

In Health by Denis Naughten

Denis Naughten TD has raised the issue of the ongoing delays regarding the development of Ballinamore Community Hospital in the Dail on foot of representations from the local community.

“While the €6m project was included in the 2011 HSE capital plan, it failed to progress during the year and must now await the Government decision on its review of all capital spending for the years 2012 onwards,” outlined Denis Naughten.

“The design for the project has been completed and the procurement process for the construction of the community hospital as commenced however further progress is now subject to the availability of funding.

“It is disappointing that this project, which would include a 20 bed residential care unit, was not progressed during 2011 and must now overcome the hurdle of not just the Government’s capital review but also the HSE plans to ‘reconfigure’ or downgrade long stay homes for older people.

“At present the project is ready to go to tender and it is important that this vital piece of health infrastructure proceeds without any further delays,” concluded Denis Naughten.