Valentia newsletter is out now

THE Valentia Island Newsletter 2017 is in circulation this Christmas. Why not post it overseas to Valentia Islanders, who for various reasons cannot be home on this occasion?

P.J. O’Sullivan, Chairman of the Valentia Community Hospital Committee, contributes an article to the newsletter which includes the following extract: The project to expand capacity at Valentia Hopital is nearing completion. It entailed increasing the capacity by 50 per cent from 16 residents to 24 and also eliminating multi-occupancy rooms in order to comply with current HIQA standards. This was achieved by the construction of a new wing to accommodate all 24 bed spaces, 20 of which are single occupancy bedrooms with the other 4 accommodated in two twin rooms. All rooms have ensuite facilities and are designed to meet HIQA standards.

The finishing touches are now being put to the building and was inspected by HIQA for registration purposes in mid-December. When the premises is passed by HIQA we will have an open day for residents’ families and the general public to view the facility before the residents move into it.

We would hope to do this over the Christmas Holiday period if all goes to plan.An official opening will take place later on in the New Year, when everybody is fully settled into their new surroundings. The events will be advertised in advance.

We wish to thank everyone who supported this project in any way with special mention for both staff and residents who have put up with the necessary disruption over the last two years.

The finishing line is in sight and the enlarged and updated facility will ensure that the elderly of our community will continue to be cared for in their own locality for a long time to come.