Decision due on Primary Care Centre for Grange
A decision is due this week on a new HSE Primary Care Centre in Grange.
The proposed location of the new health centre is a prominent greenfield site on the left as you enter Grange, close to Grange Pharmacy.
If County Planners give it the green light, the HSE will build a modern fit-for-purpose primary healthcare facility for patients in North Sligo.
The HSE said in its planning application that it will “reduce the need of visits to the Regional hospital.”
It said the centre at Grange will be the “Hub in a Hub and Spoke model”. A smaller centre is to be provided at Drumcliff.
As well as the Primary Care facilities of GP, nurse, occupational therapist and physiotherapist, an ambulance outreach base will be provided.
This is to allow ambulances be deployed at Grange to provide “more rapid response times” around the region.
The angled roof (pictured right in a computer generated image) was inspired by “the sculptural form of the Dartry Mountains” according to Dublin-based Wejchert Architects.
It’s proposed that the Primary Care Centre will operate during normal working hours, although the HSE said there may be some evening and weekend use.
The outreach ambulance base will open on a 24 hour basis for ambulance staff.
The care centre will include a GP practice, nurses room, staff room, occupational therapist room, physio treatment room and separate gym, family therapy room, baby and parent room and several waiting areas.
A car park with 48 car parking spaces will be provided at the rear of the building and access will be via a shared entrance with the existing Grange Pharmacy.
The Health Service Executive is not the legal owner of the lands. Part of the site is owned by Grange Pharmacy company directors Emer and Maurice Kehoe while another part is owned by John Joe Donlon.
Both owners have given their consent to the HSE to apply for planning permission on their lands at Aughagad, Grange.
The HSE has the option to buy the lands subject to planning permission being granted.
County Planners are due to decide by today, Tuesday 26 th June.