An Taoiseach Enda Kenny officially opened the newly extended and refurbished Ballina District Hospital last Monday, December 1 which was completed at a cost of over €1m of which €250,000 was provided by the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation.
Mr Kenny said: “I am delighted to be here today in Ballina to officially open the newly extended and refurbished Ballina District Hospital. This significant development will enhance services and ensure the highest standards of care for patients, particularly those requiring end-of-life care. I am particularly heartened to see how closely the hospice works with HSE colleagues both here and in other healthcare facilities to ensure that patients with life limiting illnesses receive the best possible care and support.”
The building works involved an upgrade of the entire building along with an extension to the female ward. The new extension has a total floor area of 84sq.m and consists of a two bed high dependency unit ward room with en suite facility, a visitor room with enclosed garden space adjacent, a sluice room, three en suite bathrooms to service existing wards, together with additional parking facilities and an ambulance set down area.
The fabric of the building was totally upgraded and this included re-roofing the building with traditional blue Bangor slates, improved insulation of the roof and walls, replacing existing windows, replacing mechanical and electrical installations, upgrading of sanitary facilities, providing new floor covering and decoration through out.
Frank Murphy, area manager, Mayo said: “This is a significant development and will greatly enhance the delivery of services at Ballina District Hospital. It will significantly contribute to the quality of life of the patients and clients receiving care and treatment at the hospital. On behalf of the hospital and staff I would like to acknowledge and pay tribute to the commitment and generosity of the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation for their contribution in funding towards the refurbishment and extension works at the hospital.”
Cynthia Clampett, CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, said: “We are very aware of the excellent care being provided for patients by the staff at HSE West’s Ballina District Hospital and our foundation has been supporting patients under palliative care at the hospital for many years. The specialist palliative home care nurses work closely with their colleagues at Ballina District Hospital to ensure that patients with life limiting illnesses receive the best possible care.”
