Taoiseach Simon Harris officially opened a new 50 bedded ward block at Portiuncula University Hospital on Wednesday, September. The project is a €35 million capital investment for the hospital site.
This new development delivers in-patient single room accommodation, in line with all current modern-day standards. The project consists of a two-storey building and is linked to the existing hospital by a corridor.
The Orchard and Garbally Wards each comprise of 25 single rooms with ensuite facilities and includes two dedicated negative pressure isolation rooms on each floor.
The new development will facilitate the relocation of two existing wards from the main hospital building, which are outdated.
The design and layout of the new wards will deliver a patient centred approach, improve our patient experience and comfort, while ensuring privacy and dignity for all patients and particularly for those requiring end of life care.
Single-room accommodation will also reduce patient exposure to possible infections while in hospital. These new wards will improve the patient’s journey, reduce length of stay and reduce the number of in-house patient transfers between wards.
Both wards will treat medical and respiratory patients and will commence facilitating patients on a phased basis from mid-October 2024.
Taoiseach Simon Harris said, “This is a special project for me. As Minister for Health, I met with local representatives and staff at the hospital and heard directly about the need for this project. I am absolutely delighted to be here as Taoiseach to officially open it.
“I know how much this project means to the people of Galway and Roscommon and the impact it will have on this region. This €35 million investment will deliver modern facilities designed to improve the patient experience.”
Welcoming the new development, General Manager James Keane said, “These new wards will improve our patient’s hospital experience and will provide an improved working environment for our staff.
“I would like to acknowledge and thank everyone involved in this development from the beginning to the delivery of the new facility”.
Ann Cosgrove (Interim CEO of the Saolta Group) added, “This new development will greatly enhance the care experience for our patients and is a welcome addition for our hospital and local community.”.
Mary Mahon (Director of Nursing at PUH) said, “The new build continues the vision and legacy of the founders of the hospital, the Franciscan Missionaries of The Divine Motherhood (FMDM), future proofing hospital services for the people of the region”.
Fine Gael Senator for Roscommon-Galway, Aisling Dolan, stated: “This is a day of celebration with the official opening by An Taoiseach Simon Harris of new 50 bed block of single rooms. This will transform patient care in our region. It is the culmination of work over a decade by Portiuncula staff and with the support of An Taoiseach at every stage. This is the hospital for the people of Athlone and families living all across the counties of Roscommon, Westmeath, Offaly, North Tipperary as well as East Galway with a catchment of over 400,000 people.
“I led the delegation that fought the case for patient care in the West in 2019 in Leinster House and An Taoiseach Simon Harris signed Ministerial approval as then Minister for Health and commencement of works in November 2019. It is wonderful to see this fantastic new building which will impact the lives of so many families and I look forward to hearing people talking about the major changes in our hospital”
