HSE Capital Plan marks major healthcare investment in Mayo – Dillon

The investment of €6.7 million in healthcare projects throughout Mayo including Mayo University Hospital has been welcomed by a Fine Gael TD.

The Health Service Executive’s Capital Plan for 2025 published this morning by the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, is part of a €1.3 billion investment allocated nationally for the development and enhancement of healthcare infrastructure.

As part of the plan, €6.7 million will be allocated to eleven Mayo projects which are at various stages of appraisal, detailed design or construction.

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Minister of State, Alan Dillon TD welcomed the funding which he said showed the Government's commitment to delivering improved healthcare facilities in the country.

“These developments represent our commitment to improving healthcare services for the people of Mayo and investing significantly in future capital projects. I look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition and continue to make strides in enhancing our healthcare infrastructure,” he said.

The projects which have now progressed to detailed design stage include a proposed new 75 bed Community Nursing Unit (CNU) to replace the existing short stay beds at Ballina District Hospital and long stay beds at St Augustine’s as well as the proposed new 50 bed CNU to replace existing short stay beds at Belmullet District Hospital and long stay beds at Áras Deirbhile, Belmullet.

A new ground floor extension to the Emergency Department (ED) and reconfiguration of the existing ED with seven additional assessment and treatment spaces has also gone to detailed design stage as has the refurbishment and a small extension of two High Support Community Residences at An Coilin and Teach Aisling in Castlebar to accommodate nine residents in two residential units.

Projects currently being constructed include building works associated with the replacement of the existing CT scanner while an electrical upgrade at Mayo University Hospital is at phase three.

The €3m funding for the Shared Island co-funded Daisy Lodge Paediatric Cancer Care Respite Project in Cong, is progressing the design of the project as part of the national cancer strategy.

A new ambulance station with regional training and education facility over two floor levels on a greenfield site is currently at appraisal stage. The station will include a 16 vehicle canopy, wash bay and accommodation for 134 daily staff.

Minister Dillon added: “For our area, this means direct investment in Mayo University Hospital and a new ambulance station with a regional training facility. This is welcome news that will help bring healthcare services closer to home and better meet the needs of patients and families across Mayo.

“This plan continues the delivery of vital healthcare projects across Mayo and supports the expansion of capacity and reform in how we deliver care.

“The scale of investment reflected in this plan underlines the Government’s focus on strengthening healthcare infrastructure and progressing toward universal, community-based care,” he concluded.