The Health Services Executive and The Sheil Hospital Trust welcome the granting of planning permission for the development of the Sheil Hospital in Ballyshannon.
The 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 with regards to the project.
He said “I am overjoyed that planning permission has been approved. 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.
Michael Martin, HSE Estates said “Following the grant of planning permission, HSE Estates are seeking approval to proceed to the next stage of development. This stage is the detailed design of the unit and preparation of tender documents. Subject to approval, it is intended to tender for the project in mid 2018 and proceed to construction in late 2018. The current projected timeframe for completion and operation of the new unit is late 2020.
“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 this further progress.
He said “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.”
