New residential care unit for St Joseph’s

A NEW residential care unit is to be constructed in the grounds of St Joseph’s in Ardee, rather than upgrading the present hospital building.

Louth Sinn Fein TD Gerry Adams received a letter from the HSE stating its intention to construct the unit for older people in Ardee, rather than upgrading the existing St Joseph’s Nursing Home.

‘Over recent years I have consistently raised the need to upgrade St Joseph’s Nursing Home to ensure compliance with HIQA safety standards. In 2013 a refurbishment plan was put in place to bring St. Joseph’s up to HIQA Environmental Standards by 2015.

‘At that time it was anticipated that a planning application would be made swiftly and that a contractor would be appointed before the end of 2014. Actual construction was expected to take between 6 months and a year to complete.

‘Based on the HSE’s own timeframe the residents of St Joseph’s should currently be living in a HIQA compliant facility yet my most recent communication from the HSE states that the focus is now ‘on the provision of a new unit, rather than the refurbishment of the original building.’

He says the HSE has further informed him that the new premises will be located on the current site and he has sought additional information regarding the allocated funding, the proposed design and the construction timescale involved.