€10m boost for Mayo healthcare projects as hospital expansion moves closer
The Sligo ChampionA total of €10,199,708 has been allocated to the county under the HSE’s Building and Equipment Capital Programme, supporting a range of developments aimed at increasing patient capacity and improving access to care.
The allocation is a significant increase from the 2025 funding total of €6.7m, and will help to support the progression of projects through various stages of development.
The largest allocation will see €4.6 million invested into the extension of the Emergency Department (ED) at Mayo University Hospital (MUH).
The project will expand ED capacity, add seven new treatment spaces and deliver a 10-space Medical Assessment Unit.
It is hoped that the extension will help ease the ongoing pressure at MUH, which currently sees more than 45,000 patient presentations each year.
Mayo TD Keira Keogh emphasised the importance of the “long-awaited” ED expansion and said the development is at an “advanced stage”.
She confirmed that plans are in place to move to construction later on this year.
Further investment has been confirmed for MUH, including €280,700 to progress an Acute Inpatient Bed Capacity Expansion Plan that will support early planning for additional inpatient beds. €110,000 has also been allocated for a new ambulance base in Castlebar.
Funding of €190,876 has been allocated for a Development Control Plan to guide the future expansion of the MUH campus, while a new Pharmacy Aseptic Oncology Compounding Unit has received €561,400 to enhance local cancer services.
In north Mayo, €560,000 has been given to advance plans for a new Community Nursing Unit at Ballina District Hospital, alongside €28,000 to support the development of the new Minor Injuries Unit.
Deputy Keogh welcomed the investment in the Ballina Injury Unit, which is expected to manage between 8,000 and 10,000 presentations each year.
She said it would help ease pressure on the ED at MUH and “ensure patients are treated closer to home”.
In Belmullet, €280,000 has been allocated to progress plans for a new 50-bed Community Nursing Unit that will serve the Erris region.
Several projects that received funding through the 2026 Capital Plan have moved to the construction phase.
The Daisy Lodge in Cong has been granted €1.68m for the construction of a new facility that will have a shared space and activity area catered for children who are undergoing cancer treatment.
In Castlebar, €1.66 million will support the development of two high-support community residences at An Coilín & Teach Aisling, helping to provide accommodation for nine residents.
Another Castlebar project at construction stage is the Castlebar Primary Care Centre, which has received €190,876 for an Enhanced Community Care Hub Fit-Out that will equip the new extension and help to expand community-based services.
Welcoming the overall funding package, Deputy Keogh said the €10m investment “represents a very significant commitment to increasing capacity and delivering the infrastructure needed to provide better care in our hospitals and communities across Mayo”.
Most importantly, she noted that it will help to support frontline staff who deliver care every day.
Deputy Keogh committed to working closely with the Minister for Health to strengthen healthcare services across Mayo into the future, and noted a key priority for her is to secure an additional ambulance base and a fully equipped crew specifically for the Erris region.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.