Little joy for Mayo health services in HSE's €1b. capital plan

The €1 billion-euro Health Capital Plan 2023, announced by the HSE today, has very little in the way of good news for Mayo.

Billed as plan 'designed to reiterate the government’s commitment to investing in the health services', facilities in the county are very much down the priority list in terms of completion.

For example, the provision of a new ground floor extension to the overcrowded emergency department will only reach the stage of 'design feasibility' during the coming year, by which stage a planning application may be submitted.

That's also the case in respect of the proposal for a new medical admissions unit at the centre.

A detailed design is also being out in place for a development control plan for the hospital campus and adjacent lands in conjunction with Mayo County Council.

This is understood to relate to an extensive site at Knockaphunta, Westport Road, Castlebar, where the council has been considering the development of sporting facilities, including an athletics track.

Works earmarked to reach the construction stage are the hospital's electrical upgrade phase one and the upgrade of the health and social services department (HSSD).

Works will also take place on an extension to house the new CT Scanner.

In the area of mental health, refurbishment will be carried out at two high support community residences, An Coilín and Teach Aisling, to appropriately accommodate nine residents in three residential units.

In the area of community care, the provision of a new 75-bed unit to replace existing short stay beds at Ballina District Hospital and long stay beds at St. Augustines will be appraised as will a similar facility at Belmullet District Hospital and long stay beds at Aras Deirbhile, Belmullet.

A project will be completed on a phased basis at Áras Attracta, Swinford, to meet housing requirements for individuals transitioning from congregated settings.