Community proposal for medical centre and age-friendly housing in Mayo village

THE community in Lahardane is seeking to progress plans for a new medical centre, pharmacy and age-friendly housing, which would bring the extra benefit of removing a derelict site from the village.

The concept has similarities with the project Dr. Jerry Cowley developed in Mulranny some years ago, councillors at the monthly Castlebar Municipal District meeting were told.

Support for the proposal was forthcoming from members but it was felt that other players, such as the HSE, need to get involved.

Lahardane's Community Futures plan identified the need for a permanent medical facility as its number one priority, Councillor Harry Barrett told the meeting. The proposal would accommodate two GPs, as well as a pharmacy, along with age-friendly housing, and there is a site ready to go.

The community has had positive engagement with Minister Dara Calleary regarding the proposal and the potential for support through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS).

Councillor Barrett said he fully supported the community and the council should support them at every opportunity.

The local development company has highlighted how the current temporary medical facility within the Churchview estate is not considered a suitable long-term solution, particularly due to its location within a residential housing estate.

The proposal closely reflects plans devised in the early 2000s for a Dr. Cowley-style facility in Lahardane that never came to fruition, where elderly parishioners could be facilitated in the village, close to the GP, church, shop and local pubs, combating rural isolation.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne said they all supported the community but they needed to talk to the HSE Estates, who develop medical centres. The minister is involved, he noted, and he was sure he would point them in that direction.

Generally, centres are planned based on population and then rented out to GPs. The fact they are going to have two GPs is a real turnaround for an area that two years could not get one.

Director of services David Mellett said the community council have made them aware of the project, which is at initial stages. There are other parties that need to get involved, he added.

The fact it was coming through Community Futures was to be commended, he commented.

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme