First 25 beds at new Letterkenny nursing unit to open by year-end
Letterkenny's new 110-bed Community Nursing Unit is on course for a phased opening beginning at the end of this year, the HSE has confirmed.
The first 25 beds at the €52 million facility on the Kilmacrennan Road are planned to open in the coming months, with extra beds to become available throughout 2027 as recruitment and preparations progress.
Tuesday's Regional Health Forum meeting heard that recruitment was ongoing across nursing, ancillary services, health and social care professions and catering.
The Director of Nursing, Maintenance Foreman and General Operative have already been appointed and are due to commence in October, while interviews for other positions are taking place.
Amanda Doyle, Head of Service Primary Care CHO1, says the plan for 2027 is to incrementally open a second group of 25 beds, followed by a further 50, with the remaining capacity to be brought into use as the phased rollout progresses.
The update was provided to Councillor Gerry McMonagle who raised concerns that recent changes to recruitment approvals could delay the opening.
Ms Doyle confirmed that preparations were continuing and that the HSE is recruiting the full complement of staff required to operate all 110 beds.
Ms Doyle assured Cllr McMonagle that: "There's a full commitment right through the HSE and the Department of Health in relation to the full recruitment of the staff required."
While the building appears largely complete from the outside, Ms Doyle said work was continuing internally.
"There is still a bit to do on the inside in relation to the equipment etc., and that process is continuing," she said.
She confirmed that the building is expected to be handed over to the HSE by year-end.
A dedicated project team and several subgroups are overseeing preparations to ensure the facility is ready to open.
When fully operational, the 9,400-square-metre development will provide long-term residential care, rehabilitation, short-stay assessment and a dedicated 10-bed dementia unit .
The development also includes a purpose-built rehabilitation centre, with physiotherapy, occupational therapy and other allied health facilities.
The HSE says the exact opening date and subsequent phases will be confirmed as construction, recruitment and operational preparations progress.
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