The Health Services Executive and The Sheil Hospital Trust welcome the application for planning permission for the Sheil Hospital in Ballyshannon.
The proposed development in South Donegal will see the merging of the Rock Nursing Home and the Sheil Hospital when a new 80 bed unit will be constructed on the site of the Sheil Hospital.
John Hayes Chief Officer for Community Health Care Organisation Area 1 (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan & Sligo) welcomed this further development of the project.
“I am delighted that this project has progressed to the planning stage. This is a major development for the provision of healthcare in South Donegal. The existing buildings and facilities in the Rock Nursing Unit and Sheil Hospital have served us well but require replacement and upgrading to ensure the environment matches the excellent care patients receive. ‘Delivering this project will take some years, in the meantime all patient services in the Rock Nursing Unit and Sheil Hospital will continue as normal.’
This project will be overseen by Rhatigan Architects (Sligo) in collaboration with Tangram Architects (London).
The 80 bed unit will consist of 66 single bedrooms and 7 twin bedrooms in a combination of long stay, short stay and dementia wards. The project also includes the upgrade of the existing Sheil building to accommodate a Day hospital amongst other ancillary services.
The existing Sheil hospital is a 19th Century brick building over four floors. Additions to the structure over the years have detracted somewhat from the institutional gothic architectural character of the building. One of the aims of this project through the development of a new Community Nursing Unit has been to re-instate the form and character of the original building whilst ensuring a clear visual segregation between new and existing structures.
Michael Martin HSE Estates stated ‘Once planning permission is obtained HSE Estates will then seek approval to proceed to detailed design, preparation of tender documents and construction. This project will be delivered over a number of phases taking cognisance of the existing clients within the existing Sheil Hospital, as this is their home. This is a significant project being delivered under the current investment in Public Nursing Homes and is amongst the highest priority developments in the Country. The project is estimated to cost in the region of €19 million.’
Fr O’Fearrai of the Sheil Hospital Trust also welcomed progress with regards to this project stating ‘The Sheil Trust welcome the progress with regards to the development of the Sheil Hospital. We will continue to work closely in partnership with the HSE to ensure that this new 80 bed unit will maintain and enhance patient services into the future’ .
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