Former Tipperary nursing home to be transformed into mental health centre
The opening of a long-awaited Tipperary nursing home, which had been repurposed to help alleviate strain on University Hospital Limerick (UHL), will now clear the way for mental health services to be provided in a major north Tipperary town.
The old St Conlon’s nursing home in Nenagh has been replaced with a purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility in Tyone, but had been used by the HSE as a step-down facility for those from UHL in an attempt to ease overcrowding in the stricken hospital.
Following a months-long campaign, the HSE confirmed earlier this year that the residents of the St Conlon’s Nursing Home would be moved to the new nursing home facility by the end of this year.
Now, residents have moved to the new facility in Tyone, prompting questions as to what would become of the old St Conlon’s building.
Labour TD Alan Kelly, along with Labour councillors, had been calling for the unit to be used as a facility for mental health services in the north Tipperary town.
The HSE has now confirmed that a plan is in place to recondition the building and use it as a hub for mental health services.
“Ever since we got the new nursing home opened that we fought for over the last decade, loads of people have been asking myself and councillor Louise Morgan Walsh what this building is going to be used for, the old St Conlon’s,” Deputy Kelly said.
"We always advocated that it should be a centre for mental health services in Nenagh and surrounding areas, and I’m delighted to let everyone know that following discussions with the HSE, that’s exactly what they’re going to use it for.
"We have a town centre location, it will provide a range of services, a range of therapies, and loads of car parking,” the Labour Party TD added.
Over the next few months, the building will undergo an overhaul making it suitable for use as a mental health hub.
Nenagh Labour councillor Louise Morgan Walsh said the project is “amazing” for the town.
"This is an amazing project for Nenagh, and it’s badly needed for mental health services for the people locally and surrounds.
"Mental health affects everybody, some parts of their life, and some people unfortunately it goes through most of their lives, so this is fantastic for Nenagh and surrounds and is very welcome,” Cllr Morgan Walsh added.
The new 50-bed St Conlon’s Nursing Home in Tyone finally opened its doors for its intended purpose in October, following a €23million investment.