STATE-OF-THE ART new facilities are to come on stream at Raheen Community Hospital by the middle of next year, according to Clare’s Independent TD.
Scariff’s Deputy Michael McNamara told The Champion he has received confirmation from the Health Service Executive (HSE) that the proposed new build ward extension at the Tuamgraney facility will be fully operational during the second quarter of 2022.
“The first phase of the works commenced in March and involved the relocation of the existing plant and boiler house which was sited on the footprint of the new build,” he said.
“The HSE has informed me that these works have been completed and that work on the 420m2 extension to the new build is underway.”
The additional unit will involve a number of new long-stay facilities.
“The project includes the provision of seven long-stay replacement beds as part of an extension which will reduce the density of beds in the long stay wards and address deficiencies identified by HIQA at the hospital,” Deputy McNamara outlined.
“The equipping of the unit is currently being planned and the HSE estimates that the new unit will be equipped and operational by Quarter Two, 2022.”
Deputy McNamara added that the new unit “will be very much welcomed by the people of the East Clare area”.
“When I was first elected as a TD in 2011, there was a proposal to close smaller community hospitals, such as Raheen,” he said.
“Upgrade works were undertaken during this period at Kilrush and Ennistymon community hospitals, but little progress was being made in Raheen.
“After a focus was brought to this vital community resource by the visit of the then junior ministers for health, Alex White and Kathleen Lynch, which I initiated, the HSE implemented substantial capital investment plans in the intervening years. I now look forward to the completion of the works currently underway,” the Independent TD added.