Lifford Community Hospital will close along with two other Donegal hospitals as part of a radical overhaul by the current Government.
THREE Donegal community hospitals are set to close to make way for a new €22 million facility which will be based in Letterkenny.
Lifford, Stranorlar and Ramelton Community Hospitals will be closed following an announcement by the Government earlier this evening.
There has been no timeline given as to when the hospitals will close – but the new facility in Letterkenny is expected to open in 2021.
Pat The Cope Gallagher announced earlier that Dungloe, Falcarragh and Killybegs Community Hospitals will be given €5.6 million for refurbishment works.
However, the impending closures of the hospitals in Lifford, Ramelton and Stranorlar will come as a huge blow to residents in that locality.
Kathleen Lynch, Minister for Social Care announced one of the most comprehensive programmes of investment in public nursing home facilities in the history of the State earlier this afternoon.
The investment is planned for 90 centres across the country between now and 2021.
This includes the replacement of 33 existing facilities and refurbishment/extension of 57 others.
In addition this programme of investment will deliver 215 additional beds in centres being built or refurbished in locations identified as having particular capacity issues.
The investment is made up of €148m in the current HSE capital plan and a further €237m capital made available under the government’s recently published multi-annual Capital Plan.
In addition, the programme includes 10 facilities to a value of €150m for which public private partnerships (PPP) or alternative funding arrangements will be considered.
Minister Kathleen Lynch said, “This very significant investment reflects our determination to maintain the current public nursing home bed stock.
“As a result of this investment, it is intended that all public nursing homes will be compliant with the environmental aspects of HIQA standards by 2021.
“The 90 facilities between them have 4,723 beds. Having visited very many of these 90 facilities I know that residents and their families attest to the excellence of the care received but the physical environment needs improvement.
“It is reassuring for those living in these homes, their families and communities throughout the country that the future of these public nursing homes has now been secured as a result of this investment.”
However, the decision has angered many – and General Election candidate Pat The Cope Gallagher has requested answers from Kathleen Lynch.
Gallagher told Donegal Daily, “I am deeply disappointed to learn that the Government has plans to replace St Josephs (Stranorlar),Lifford and Ramelton Community Hospitals.
“This proposal must be rejected out of hand.
“I will refrain from commenting further until I receive clarification from Minister Kathleen Lynch.
“I have already been in contact with her office expressing my concern and requesting immediate clarification.”
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