THE first 25 beds of the new 110-bed community nursing unit in Letterkenny are set to open by the end of this year.
The confirmation was provided by the HSE at a meeting of the Regional Health Forum West and North West in response to a query from Cllr Gerry McMonagle.
He was informed by Dermot Monaghan, Donegal’s Integrated Healthcare Area Manager, that the €59 million unit on the Kilmacrennan Road is in the final stages of construction, with practical completion expected in the final quarter of 2026.
Additionally Cllr McMonagle was told: “The Director of Nursing, Maintenance Foreman and General Operative have been appointed and are due to commence in October to support the commissioning and operational readiness of the new facility. In parallel, recruitment process is progressing with interviews currently taking place for all other staff grades.
“It is anticipated that the facility will open on a phased basis, initially with approximately 25 beds, subject to staffing, operational readiness and completion of the necessary commissioning requirements. Additional beds will be opened on a phased basis to ensure the safe and sustainable opening of the service, with the appropriate staffing and support arrangements in place.
“When fully operational, the facility will provide 110 beds across long-term residential care, rehabilitation, short stay/ assessment and dementia-specific care.
“The opening date and subsequent phases will be confirmed as construction, recruitment and operational readiness progress.”
Head of Service Primary Care CHO1, Amanda Doyle, said that recruitment is ongoing across all staff disciplines.
“We are still also working in parallel for the full complement of staff required for the 110 beds, with plans then in 2027 incrementally to open up the second 25 and then the further 50, etc.,” she said. “The operational readiness is in relation to us as a project team set up, with several subgroups attached to that, working on the components to ensure that we are operationally ready for our opening.”
Cllr McMonagle welcomed the update after he had raised concerns about possible delays caused by the recruitment process.
The 9,400-square-metre development will include a mix of long-stay, short-stay, rehabilitation and dementia care with associated resident accommodation including dining rooms, kitchenettes, residential areas with family overnight room, visitor’s room, treatment room and hairdresser’s salon. The facility will also provide a purpose-built rehabilitation centre, providing physiotherapy, occupational therapy and allied health professional space.
Earlier this year, Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue said: “This new community hospital in Letterkenny represents one of the largest single investments in healthcare in Donegal. Once it is up and running to its full capacity it will be a tremendous asset to the people of Letterkenny and Donegal.”