MAJOR progress has been made on Lifford’s new purpose built hospital.
It has emerged that the HSE has been granted funding to carry out a feasibility study of the proposed site and when completed this will allow for a full capital submission to be submitted to the Department.
The new Community Nursing Unit would consist of a 25-bed unit, a primary care centre and 177 car parking spaces. If the hospital does get the go ahead, it will be built alongside a multi-million euro redevelopment of fields at Lifford Common.
Welcoming the progress, Cllr Gerry Crawford said he was delighted to finally see some positive movement on the project.
“After a long consultation between the HSE and the Council with regards a site on the lands at The Commons, Lifford, a site has now been identified within the area. The HSE has been authorised the necessary funding to carry out a feasibility study of the site.
“When that is complete and if successful it will allow for a full capital submission to be submitted to the Department and this is a very welcome advancement of the overall project,” said Cllr Crawford.
Lifford Hospital closed temporarily to respite and long term care patients in 2021 due to necessary repair works however the service has not since resumed.
Donegal County Council is still awaiting on overall site planning permission from An Bord Pleanála and that decision is expected in the near future.
However, Cllr Crawford said this facility is without a doubt essential for the area.
“I think that the agreement for the necessity of a Lifford Hospital has been dealt with and Covid-19 has more than exposed that necessity and this is something that can hopefully be progressed with the minimum amount of formalities,” said Cllr Crawford.
Cllr Crawford said a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to get this far with the Lifford Hospital project.
“I have been very involved in this project from the beginning and have been pursuing this at every opportunity. I want to thank all the people who work tirelessly to make these things possible, particularly the Friends of Lifford Hospital for their hard work and co-operation.”
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