BREAKING: St Vincent's hospital to close for emergency works

News has broken tonight that patients are to be urgently relocated from St Vincent's Care Centre in Athlone to other locations in the midlands to facilitate emergency works on the facility.

Families of patients have been informed this evening that an electrical problem which poses a fire safety risk at the long-stay facility requires immediate works.

Staff are also understood to have been called into a meeting tonight.

It's understood the facility will close for some five months to facilitate the required improvements.

Some 35 patients in the care centre are currently being relocated.

Deputy Kevin 'Boxer' Moran said he had been assured by the HSE that St Vincent's Care Centre will reopen when the works are complete.

He said he had been told there have been ongoing power outtages over the last few weeks at the centre.

It had been hoped that works on the electrical system would be undertaken while the centre remained open.

An inspection has now found that the electrical system in the centre poses a safety risk and the centre needs to close to allow works take place.

Both the HSE and the Minister for Health are expected to issue statements on the issue in the coming hours.

More as it develops.