Health Minister visits Sligo for opening of new Ambulatory Gynaecology Unit at Sligo University Hospital and sodturning at new hospice in-patient unit
MINISTER for Health Stephen Donnelly TD was in Sligo last Friday to oversee two positive developments for healthcare in Sligo.
The minister was present at Sligo University Hospital for the opening of the new Ambulatory Gynaecology Unit at Sligo University Hospital and also attended the sod-turning for a new in-patient unit at the North West Hospice.
Speaking about the unit at the hospital, Minister Donnelly said: “Progressing Women's Health is a priority within the Programme for Government, and a top priority for me as Minister for Health. I am proud to have overseen unprecedented levels of funding in women's health services.
“I know that this new clinic is a positive, on-the-ground improvement that will make a real difference to the women of Sligo and the Northwest.”
This clinic has already had a positive impact on the outpatient waiting list figures for Sligo University Hospital. Waiting times have reduced across all categories, making a real impact on women's lives in this region.
Investment of more than €100,000 was provided for the new Suimhneas home-from-home birthing suite. This Supported Care Pathway is providing the option of a more homely environment for women when giving birth and is an option for women at low risk to receive care that is led and delivered by midwives.
Sligo has also benefited from a pilot postnatal hub that opened in November 2023. Women who choose to participate are provided with a full check of mother and baby, birth reflections, infant feeding assessment and supports, and general future health promotion. The feedback gathered from women has been very positive of this support.
Minister Donnelly added: “It is a privilege to be part of these developments and to have witnessed firsthand here today the real improvements in access and choice available to women through the implementation of the National Maternity Strategy and the Women's Health Action Plan”
Meanwhile, remarking on the new development for the North West Hospice, Minister Donnelly said: “I am delighted to turn the sod on the new In-Patient Unit at North West Hospice. Palliative care services have developed in Ireland successfully due to a long standing tradition of positive co-operation between the voluntary and statutory sectors.
“I want to pay a special tribute to the staff and volunteers at the North West Hospice who provide excellent palliative care during what can be a very difficult time for patients and families.”
The HSE funded new build will comprise of an extension to the current building to include 12 single rooms as well as outpatient facilities. The existing in-Patient Unit will be refurbished to house the other multi - disciplinary Palliative Care team.
The current Hospice in-patient unit consists of seven beds, made up of three single rooms and a four-bedded mixed gender ward.
While the current in-patient unit served the population of North West well over the last 25 years, the building is not purpose-built.
The new unit will provide a much improved physical structure which will further enhance the excellent specialist palliative care already provided in North West Hospice. The additional beds will increase capacity by over a third, which will help to meet the growing demand for the service.
The project aims to be complete by the end of 2025.
The clinical services at North West Hospice provide palliative care services for people with life limiting illnesses where they are residing, be that at home, in a nursing home, hospital or in its hospice.
Palliative care involves meeting an individual and assessing their needs and those of their families, spiritually, physically, socially and emotionally.
These needs are then addressed with the aim of improving quality of life for the patients and their family. In order to provide this care, North West Hospice has a team of professionals including Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Chaplaincy services.
Dermot Monaghan, Chief Officer, Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo said: “It's wonderful to be here to mark the commencement of work on this new HSE funded in-patient unit.
“North West Hospice delivers incredible comfort and warmth to patients and their families and the service it provides is invaluable.”
North West Hospice Operational Lead Nuala Ginnelly said “We are delighted to see work commence on our new in-patient unit.
“This development is essential to meet the current and future needs of patients and families in the local community. We would like to reassure people that all of our services will run as normal during the period of construction.”
RIGHT AND BELOW: Minister Stephen Donnelly pictured with dignitaries and Slio University Hospital staff.