Local Fine Gael Senator Aisling Dolan has welcomed Government confirmation of substantial funding for the upgrade of services and facilities at Portiucnula University Hospital in Ballinasloe.
A sum of €20 million has been allocated to the Ballinasloe hospital in the recently announced HSE capital plan, funding which the Senator described as a “major boost”.
“The €20 million allocated under the HSE capital plan is certain to increase bed capacity and afford more space for patients and healthcare teams. This is part of a national €1.2 billion Government investment in our health facilities including hospitals and primary care.
“Investment in Portiuncula University Hospital is a major priority on a personal level and I was delighted to host An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as he met with Assistant General Manager Marguerite Dooley, Director of Nursing Mary Mahon and the senior clinical management team when he visited the hospital in February.
“The Taoiseach had an opportunity to open the new CT scanner facility and meet with the radiology team and healthcare teams throughout the hospital. It is incredible to see the increase in staff numbers bringing the figure to almost 1,000 healthcare professionals and teams working in Portiuncula.
“The Taoiseach also visited the Emergency Department and was shown the tight space available to teams. The Taoiseach listened to the concerns of the staff and heard of the urgent need for additional treatment bays within the facility.
“I gave my full support to a Saolta Hospital Group priority proposal for a modular build of 10 new additional treatment bays for Portiuncula University Hospital and submitted this letter to the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and I am now delighted to receive confirmation of this Emergency Department expansion in the HSE Capital Plan this year.
“Those walking around the hospital can see the cranes and the height of the new 50 bed block development. This plan allocates €15 million to complete this project and I know so many are looking forward to opening in 2024. This investment will deliver 50 single en-suite beds which will be a major increase on the existing 13 single rooms. Patients and families will no longer have to experience multi-bed ward blocks. This project received financial approval for funding when I secured a meeting for the clinical management team with Minister Simon Harris in Leinster House in 2019. Our healthcare teams cannot wait to have more space and I know there is demand in every part of our hospital.
“Urgent bed space is required as soon as possible and a figure of €4 million has been allocated for the initiative by our hospital management team to move the existing Outpatients Department to a new build on the grounds of the hospital. This existing space is being renovated to double the capacity of single rooms in our hospital with an additional eight single rooms and two double rooms. It will be an assistance for infection control and for more vulnerable patients and will relieve pressure on the ED especially before this winter.
“Our hospital caters to over 400,000 patients across the local regions. We have an excellent staff with close to 1,000 health professionals working in this 24/7 acute hospital. It is a lifeline for so many in our region.
“I wish to acknowledge the work of General Manager James Keane and the senior management team at Portiuncula University Hospital who prepared the proposal plans approved by Saolta Hospital Group for the modular build,” Senator Dolan commented.
