Many new health related facilities completed in Donegal over past four years  

Many new health related facilities have been opened or are under construction in Donegal over the past four years, Cllr Gerry Crawford was told, at this month’s meeting of the Regional Health Forum West in Galway on Tuesday.

He had sought clarification on what exactly had been achieved in that time in Donegal and what additional services were now being provided throughout the county. 

On receiving the response, he said that despite the many problems out there, it was important to recognise the progress that had been made: 

“There is a positive story here, despite the problems, this clearly indicates what is there and the services provided,” he said.

He said that he would further study the report and come back with follow up questions, as required.  

He was informed that on top of what had been completed in the county over that time, a new community hospital for Letterkenny with plans for 110 beds was to be completed in the last quarter of 2025. 

He was told that since 2020, Letterkenny University Hospital has an additional 36 beds of which 20 of these are in Medical 6 with a further 16 in Medical 7. 

ABOVE: The new Primary Care Centre at Newtowncunningham

Both these wards are new and were built during the Pandemic.

New primary care centres had been opened in Donegal Town, Buncrana and Newtowncunningham.

He was also told that Dunfanaghy Primary Care Centre is currently under

construction and due to be operational in the final quarter of 2024.

The Ballyshannon Community Hospital new build was completed in the final quarter of 2023 and 26 residents relocated from the Rock Nursing Home Unit to this new building in February of 2024.

This new hospital has capacity for 80 beds when fully operational, which consist of 52 long-stay beds and 20 short-stay beds providing convalescence, rehabilitation, respite and palliative care beds, and a further 8 Dementia-specific assessment beds and a Day Hospital Service.

ABOVE: The new Ballyshannon Community Hospital

A new community hospital in Letterkenny is the second new build planned for Donegal and is due for completion in the final quarter of 2025.

It is envisioned there will be 110 beds in this facility, comprising of the following

Three, 25 long-term care bed units, one 25 short-term care beds (convalescence beds, palliative beds, rehabilitation beds and respite beds) and ten Dementia-specific assessment beds.

This hospital will also include supporting professional services for the older person, including speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, and physiotherapist.

Donegal Mental Health Services have benefited from the construction of two Primary Care Facilities, one based in Donegal Town and the other based in Buncrana within the last two years.

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service [CAMHS] for Donegal South area is now delivered from the Primary Care facility in Donegal Town with the Adult Mental Health Services and CAMH Services for the Inishowen population being delivered from the new Primary Care Facility in Buncrana.

Donegal Disability Services Property currently under construction or not yet opened included Piermount House in Dungloe, Glenrowan House in Raphoe, Sliabh Sneacht House in Letterkenny, Cavan Lower 1 & 2 Community Group Homes in Killygordon.

Mol an Oige, Listillion in Letterkenny was at design stage and included an upgrade of existing premises.