Senator Maura Hopkins pictured with Minister for Health Simon Harris at Wednesday's meeting

Green light for Portiuncula 50-bed unit

A new 50-bed ward block at Portiuncula Hospital has been given the go-ahead, following a meeting with Minister for Health Simon Harris yesterday (Wednesday September 25).

Minister Harris confirmed that tenders for the first phase of the work will be sought in the coming weeks. Work is expected to commence on site in early 2020, with the building expected to be complete by 2022.

Deputy Denis Naughten said the develoment would address the current “chaotic” situation in the A&E department.

Following the cost overrun on the Children’s Hospital Project I had sought – and obtained – assurances that this would not impact on these local projects and this was confirmed at the meeting with Minister Harris yesterday.

This is very welcome as the 50-bed ward block at Portiuncula Hospital is now urgently required to address the chaotic situation that many patients and staff are facing in our local A&E department.”

The senior clinical team from the hospital met with Minister Harris, officials from the Department of Health and Saolta executive at Leinster House to discuss the planned unit, in the wake of uncertainty surrounding the project. The replacement 50-bed unit for Portiuncula Hospital has been in the works since 2012 with planning permission granted in August 2016.

Ballinasloe's Cllr Aisling Dolan, who secured the meeting, said the 50-bed unit will replace many 6 or 8 bed units and bring patient accommodation up to the highest standards.

This is a major development for Portiuncula University Hospital... tribute has to be paid to the teams who have worked on this project to improve our hospital and patient care since 2012.”

Senator Maura Hopkins said the new unit is a “key priority for Government”.

At the meeting, Minister Harris made it clear that he wants to see progress on this development in order for the new 50-bed replacement unit to open in 2022.

These works will include the construction of a replacement 50-bed ward block, fire safety works and a lift replacement programme. The immediate priority now is to ensure the commencement of enabling works in order to prepare the site for construction.”

Minister Harris also confirmed plans to visit Ballinasloe and meet the teams in Portiuncula University Hospital in October 2019 in relation to the project.