'Ballyshannon is a template for community health provision across the country'

Sligo-Leitrim TD Marian Harkin has welcomed confirmation from the HSE that day services will be provided at Ballyshannon Community Hospital following the recruitment of necessary staff.

“I am also delighted to report that not only will day services recommence once staff are recruited, but some of the long-stay beds at Ballyshannon Community Hospital have opened with more to follow soon, including dementia care beds,” Deputy Harkin said.

“This is great news for South Donegal. There was great concern locally that these services might not be provided after a recent statement from HIQA indicated that operating both residential and day services within the same hospital premises should not continue,” Deputy Harkin said.

“I am more than relieved with this clarification from the HSE. The services to be provided at Ballyshannon Community Hospital are vital to the local community. They offer crucial medical, social, and personal care services especially for older people for whom regular attendance at a facility like this is essential for maintaining their physical, social, and mental health. It also provides much-needed respite for family carers.”

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Deputy Harkin reflected on the initial promises made when the new facility to be located in the old Sheil Hospital premises was announced: “The hospital was launched last April with commitments of 52 long-stay beds, 20 short-stay beds, and a range of services including convalescence, rehabilitation, respite, palliative care, and day hospital services. The possibility of losing the day services was a huge shock, especially for older people and their carers who depend on these supports.”

Drawing on previous experience, Ms Harkin voiced the community’s concerns: “We saw what happened in Manorhamilton when its day services closed due to COVID-19 and never reopened. I feared the same might happen here, but thankfully, this will not be the case.”

Highlighting the importance of such services within the broader health system, she added: “The day services provided at Ballyshannon Community Hospital are essential in easing pressure on acute hospitals like Sligo University Hospital and Letterkenny. They provide vital support to those who don’t need acute care but do require the range of services offered in community hospitals. What is happening at Ballyshannon is a template for community health provision across the country.”