Concerns aired over 'dire condition' of Mayo rehabilitation facility

CONCERNS are being raised over what has been described as 'the dire condition' of a busy healthcare unit in Mayo.

A member of the HSE West Forum is demanding an urgent inspection of St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation and Stroke Unit at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar, following a number of complaints lodged with him.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne has tabled a motion for the November meeting of the forum seeking investment to give the unit a major and long-overdue refurbishment.

While praiseworthy of the outstanding work undertaken by staff at the facility, he said it is very unfair that patients are being accommodated in such 'a damp, dilapidated and dreary environment'.

He stated: "I want to establish what plans are in place by the HSE to upgrade the unit, including painting, replacing damaged windows, repairing leaks, replacing decaying timber and damaged floor covering.

"I am seeking an inspection to be undertaken within the next four weeks in order for a renovation plan to be put in place and acted upon as swiftly as possible.

"It is clear that this section of the hospital has been neglected for too long and I am very conscious of the fact that Mayo cannot afford to lose the services provided at the facility to patients in need of rehabilitation following a stroke and other illnesses.”

"I cannot believe that HIQA, the health information and quality authority, have not identified the facility as a healthcare problem," he added.