More than €108M has been allocated in funding for Community Healthcare in Donegal.
The funding is part of a package which includes an injection of €136M in funding for HIQA compliance across counties Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo and Cavan.
A number of projects in Donegal have been included in the HSE’s Capital Development Programme.
These include:
- €58.6 million for a 110 bed Community Nursing Unit in Letterkenny
- €6.14 million for Falcarragh Community Nursing Unit to make it HIQA compliant
- €4.24 million to make Carndonagh Community Hospital HIQA compliant
- €4.33 million for Buncrana Community Nursing Unit to reach HIQA compliance
- €0.05 million for Lifford Community Nursing Unit to fund a site survey and feasibility study to allow for a full Capital Submission
- €3.67 million for HIQA compliance works at Dungloe Community Hospital
- €31.65 million for the construction of an 80 bedded Community Nursing Unit in Ballyshannon.
The 2023 allocations will allow for final payments for works at Dungloe Community Hospital, approval to proceed to tender for works on the existing community hospital at Buncrana, and progress works at Falcarragh Community Nursing Unit to proceed to tender.
Meanwhile, work is almost complete on the 80 bedded Ballyshannon Community Nursing Unit.
Funding approved for Letterkenny CNU and Cardonagh Community Hospital will allow for the main projects to progress.
In Lifford CNU €0.05 million has been approved to carry out a site and feasibility study, which will be included in a Full Capital Submission. An approved Capital Budget will be confirmed upon receipt of a Full Capital Submission.
Elsewhere, €28.11 million has been allocated for a 90 bed unit in Carrick on Shannon in County Leitrim. The next step in the project is for works to proceed to tender.
Dermot Monaghan, Chief Officer, Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo said “Infrastructure is vital in enabling us to deliver a high quality service to our patients and clients.This funding is part of the wide spread of projects at varying stages of development taking place across Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo. I would like to acknowledge the work done by all our staff in progressing these projects as outlined”
Kevin Gunn, Estates Manager, HSE Estates said “We look forward to working closely with our colleagues in Community Healthcare area to enable this programme of capital development works.”
Frank Morrison, Head of Service, Older Persons, Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo said “There is an agreed programme in place between the Department of Health, the HSE and HIQA to bring older public Community Nursing Units, many of which are well in excess of 100 years old, up to the required infrastructural standards. The HSE is continuing to make sure that all our community nursing units meet HIQA Standards and Requirements. Despite disruptions to timelines due to COVID-19, progress continues to be made in the CNU Programme.”
