£25M. SANCTIONED FOR MAYO HOSPITAL
Minister scotches delay rumours over Castlebar complex go-ahead
March 1996
Story: Tom Gillespie
The minister for Health has committed £25 million, to be spend over the next four years, for the provision of the phase two development of the Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar.
The project will include an orthopaedic unit capable of carrying out 1,000 operations and of assessing 1,400 new patients at out-patients department annually.
It will also involve a new accident and emergency department, ten isolation rooms, a ten bed special care baby unit and at least 74-extra in-patient beds.
There will be a new administration and medical records department as well as an information technology system for the complex. Better parking facilities will be incorporated in the design and there will be improved visitor amenities as well as an oratory. The Minister visited the hospital on Monday where he announced the go-ahead for the selection of the design team for the development of phase 2. Minister Noonan said: "Phase 2 has been designed to allow the hospital continue to develop as a centre of excellence for medical care and to provide a full range of services to the people it serves in the West."
The first phase of the hospital - out-patients and operating departments, an intensive care unit and increased ward accommodation -- was completed in 1989 at a cost of £11.
The Friends of the Mayo General Hospital was established to pressure the Government to complete the second stage of the blueprint.
Last year the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Enda Kenny announce that the Government was committed to the plan and said at that time it would cost £20m.
There had been some rumours that the plan would not go ahead, something that was knocked on the head by the Health Minister. Mr. Noonan told a press conference in the hospital:
"I am aware that inaccurate rumours in recent months may have caused some anxiety or doubt as to whether or not this major development was getting the green light.
"Let me now assure you that there has been no stalling on my part.
"My Department has worked with all possible speed in co-operation with the Western Health Board to ensure that there is no delay on this project. We will continue to do so."
The Minister said funding for the project would be provided from a multi-annual-budget.
He added: "Actual costs in the current year are likely to come to less than £1m, so the Castlebar project does not feature as a big spender in the 1996 capital programme.
"However, the annual commitment will rise sharply in the next few years according as the building work progresses.
"I expect that over £4m will be required next year and possibly £8m or £9m in each of the years 1988 and 1999.
"In any event, I would emphasise that the proposal has my full backing and will be provided for in my Department's capital programme for these years."
Minister Noonan added: "The purpose of this plan is to provide better resources and facilities in the hospital."
He said the Castlebar project would enable Mayo General to develop existing links with the Galway hospitals. It would also allow it to build upon its existing ties with local hospitals and homes such as the Sacred Heart Home and St. Mary's Hospital, Castlebar, The District Hospitals in Ballina, Belmullet and Swinford and the homes for the Aged in Westport , Claremorris and Ballina.
Minister Enda Kenny, who was also present, said since he was elected to the Dail 21-years ago the provision of adequate facilities at the hospital had been an on-going issue. He said the announcement was a Government commitment, endorsed by the Minister for Health, for an expenditure of at least £25m, for a building which would provide medical facilities of the highest standards for all the people of Mayo.
He said: "This is a wonderful day for this county. It is a very special day
for Castlebar and it is of particular importance to us all."
Connaught Telegraph - News - Mar 1996
Connaught Telegraph - Sports - Mar 1996
