50 Bed Unit in Portiuncula - Opened by An Taoiseach Simon Harris

By Colm Croffy

After years of discussion, the 50-bed replacement unit in Portiuncula Hospital recently opened.

In an event attended by local politicians An Taoiseach, Simon Harris was welcomed to the Campus by Senator Aisling Dolan – who has been to the fore of the campaign to have the unit completed.

“It’s a great honour to be back in Portiuncula, and I’m delighted to be joined by my colleagues. Thank you all so much for being here, for what I know is a really important day. And it’s an absolute pleasure to be here and to officially open the Orchard and Garbally ward blocks” declared Taoiseach Harris.

The Taoiseach has previously visited the hospital in connection with the development of the unit, while he was Minister for Health. “I must say, I feel a particular affinity with this project, as I’ve somewhat been on the journey. You can see the result ofeverybody’s hard work. I was here in 2019 and this seemed like abit of a distant dream. There were passionate cases put forward by the staff regarding the need for these beds.”

While there was great local pride felt in the town on the day, the council MDC meeting later on saw mixed reactions.
Cllr Evelyn Parsons had high praise for the new developments, although kept up the expectation that renovation would continue in the hospital. “The standard is going to be a gamechanger, really. But we do have to ask for more beds to commit to further development of our hospital.”
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Cllr Alan Harney agreed that while the new unit was a “major investment in the hospital, increased capacity in the emergency department” was something that should be further prioritised for him.

​Dermot Connolly concluded that it was “about time” for the new unit. “I want to pay tribute to the staff going above and beyond.  We need a service that’s fit for purpose.”

The unit, which cost €35 millon, contains wards where patients will have their own rooms and ensuites.

Anne Rabbitte TD said that the new unit “ensures privacy, dignity and also the medical need of isolation for the patients that will use the new ward block.”
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She pledged that new developments are underway at the moment by the design team to continue extending the hospital. “Currently we have 14 beds plus two resuscitations in the ED and we’re going  to add an additional capacity of nine more ED beds.”
 
Outgoing Independent TD Denis Naughton reminded all that the design and site works that he campaigned for as Minister included the ground, services, ducting and pre foundation works for an immediate upgrade with a further 75 bed new block. He urged the Management, Staff and the public representatives not to lose sight of the need of this “shovel ready” new investment.​