Ballyshannon's community hospital could be operational next week

Members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), are balloting on proposals that could see the new €36.7m Sheil/South Donegal Community Hospital in Ballyshannon operational within the week, on February 20. 

The HSE had originally intended to move some residents from the Rock Community Nursing Unit in the same town, to the new hospital on Monday, but this did not happen.

An impasse between the INMO and the HSE has meant that the new facility has been lying idle since passing a HIQA inspection at the end of 2023.    

But the INMO have now confirmed to donegallive.ie:  

“Proposals have been issued to enhance clinical governance and staffing levels in the community hospital in line with what INMO members were seeking. 

“Members will be asked to vote on these proposals, with their ballot closing on February 19. If the proposals are accepted the move is intended to take place on February 20.

Earlier the HSE had said that "in the interests of good employee relations" the movement of the residents from the Rock Community Nursing Unit, which is located on the far side of the River Erne, opposite Fr Tierney GAA Park had been deferred on Monday past.

They had said that the opening of the facility was “absolute priority”.

"In the interests of maintaining good employee relations, the HSE has agreed to defer the move on Monday February 12 and has requested the urgent assistance of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to allow for further engagement to take place.

"The quality of life of the 26 residents, who are very much looking forward to the new facility, has always been of paramount importance and significance to HSE management. This is a wonderful new facility which both staff and residents will enjoy for many years to come," they said.

Ballyshannon Community Hospital, once operational, will have 52 long stay beds, 20 short stay beds providing convalescence, rehabilitation, respite and palliative care beds, eight Dementia specific assessment beds and a Day Hospital Service.

50 years ago the HSE's predecessor, the old North Western Health Board (NWHB) took over the running of the hospital on March 1, 1974, on the directions of the High Court.