New Hospital block needed
HEALTH Minister Simon Harris is being called on to start the process of developing a new hospital extension for Sligo.
That’s according to Emergency Medicine Consultant at Sligo University Hospital Dr Fergal Hickey.
He gave a presentation to Sligo County Council members on Monday 2nd July after which Cllr Thomas Healy asked him what he needed the Health Minister to do.
“To start the process for the new block. The modular block (listed under the Ireland 2040 plan) is just a bandage,” said Dr Hickey.
Cllr Seamus Kilgannon asked if the HSE could get funding for the extension through the 2040 plan.
Dr Hickey said he wasn’t aware that avenue was being investigated but said “every avenue will be investigated” to find funding.
He told members it would cost between ¤100-110million to build the new block. “This is a very big project and it needs to be done right,” he said.
Cllr Rosaleen O’Grady said the only way forward was if all members united on the issue.
She said she and former Cllr Sean MacManus put the demand for the Cardio Cath Lab “on the table” and she had growing concerns for the coming winter.
“We lack representation at national level. We have to have someone at the table banging the table where decisions are being made,” she said.
“I’m appealing to all the national representatives to go to the table and bang that table for services here,” she added.
Cllr Chris MacManus said citizens in the North West “should not suffer because we’ve ineffective Oireachtas representatives.”
Cllr Margaret Gormley said the biggest problem was lack of Home Help staff. Cathaoireach Cllr Martin Baker said economic growth in Sligo should be matched by health services growth.