Remediation work ongoing at former St Brigid's Hospital in Ballinalsoe
Work on safeguarding the former St Brigid’s Hospital building in Ballinasloe will begin next week.
The HSE has vowed to tighten security at the disused building, which has attracted trespassers.
Galway County Councillor Alan Harney (FG) said a number of people have broken into the building recently, and posted images online on social media.
At the latest HSE West North West Forum meeting on June 23, the Ballinasloe-based councillor urged the HSE to secure the building.
Niall Colleary, HSE Assistant National Director, Capital and Estates, said it was difficult to stop people entering the building entirely but the security aspect of the repairs to the building “will commence next week”.
He said they were awaiting delivery of materials to secure the property perimeters to prevent unauthorised access and to enhance the current security services.
Mr Colleary said the reinstatement of gutters and downpipes at St Brigid’s was due to be ready by mid-July.
He said the HSE plans to dispose of lands and buildings that are “surplus to HSE requirements” on the open market.
“The HSE will be retaining sufficient lands to support future healthcare developments required for the area,” Mr Colleary said.
It emerged later in the meeting that palliative care does not form part of these plans.
Galway County Councillor Evelyn Parsons (Ind) asked if hospice provision and palliative care will form part of the planned hub at St Brigid’s campus given that cancer cases are projected to “potentially double” by 2045 due to population growth and ageing.
Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer of HSE West and North West, said there were no plans for palliative care provision at St Brigid’s.
He said the HSE was working with Galway Hospice Foundation to find a site for a new hospice in Galway City and there are eight beds for palliative care in Roscommon University Hospital to serve the Ballinasloe and East Galway catchment.
Mr Canavan added the HSE’s draft schedule of accommodation for the proposed Ballinasloe Integrated Care Hub “does not currently provide for dedicated accommodation for hospice services”.