Work to begin on new hospital next year

Work on the new community nursing unit in Carrick-on-Shannon could begin in the third quarter of 2024, the local municipal district meeting heard.

Planning permission has been granted to the HSE North West for a development consisting of the construction of a two-storey split level 90 bed community nursing unit comprising 50 long stay beds, 20 short stay beds and 20 dementia beds.

The proposed building includes associated recreational living spaces, dining spaces and ancillary service spaces on all habitable levels, together with the construction of a designated rehabilitation facility on Level 2.

The topic was raised at the latest Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District meeting where Cllr Finola Armstrong-McGuire asked at what stage the proposed new site for St Patrick's Hospital was.

The official response continued that permission was subject to 18 conditions and was granted on November 12, 2020.

Members were told work could begin on the unit by next year.

The response continued: "There has been no correspondence between the applicants (H.S.E. North West) or their agents with the planning authority since this permission was granted. There are a number of conditions attached which require agreement with the planning authority; no such compliance submission has been received to date."

A fire certificate was granted on November 11, 2020 and a revised fire certificate application was submitted to the local authority on November 22, 2023 with a decision on that due on January 18, 2024.