Construction progressing on new 90 bed HSE Community Hospital in Carrick on Shannon

Construction is continuing at pace on the new 90 bed HSE Community Hospital at Ballynamony Road (Leitrim Road), Carrick on Shannon, with the state-of-the-art healthcare facility on schedule for completion in early 2027. The new community hospital will add much needed capacity to older person’s healthcare provision across county Leitrim.

The design of the Community Hospital aims to create a person-centred approach which supports the opportunity for older people to continue to direct their own lives in accordance with their cognitive and physical abilities, and in an environment which reflects the comforts of home. This will be done by the creation of households within the overall centre. The intention is the normalization of care within the new Community Hospital assisting residents with everyday tasks.

Each long stay household will have 23 en-suite single bedrooms and 1 en-suite twin bedroom, a total of 25 residents. The short stay household will accommodate 20 residents in 20 en-suite single bedrooms.

Each household will have their own dayroom, dining room and kitchen area at the centre of the home. In each of the 25 bed households, there will be one dayroom/ sunroom and one shared dining room that can be compartmentalized, and which can open out to the gardens. There will also be a quiet room for reading, reflection or meeting with visitors which can also open out to the outdoor space.

There will be 20 dementia-specific assessment beds, to be accommodated on the ground floor. The design of each household will support the continued engagement of residents living with dementia in meaningful person-centred activities, and residents will be afforded access to a secure, therapeutic, landscaped courtyard.

Minister of State for Older People, Kieran O’Donnell, said, "Ensuring necessary and appropriate supports for older peoples’ health and wellbeing is an absolute priority for me as Minister of State for Older People. The development of the new Carrick on Shannon Community Hospital clearly illustrates the Government’s continued commitment to investment in healthcare infrastructure and the enhancement of community services for older people.

“This new state-of-the-art 90-bed Community Nursing Unit is a major addition to services for older people in Carrick on Shannon and Leitrim. It will provide residents, service users and their families with access to high-quality care in the community, supporting dignity, independence and wellbeing."

John Fitzmaurice, HSE IHA Manager for Sligo Leitrim said, “We are delighted to see the progress being made at the new community hospital. The development will play an important role in meeting the growing healthcare needs of the older population in County Leitrim, providing modern facilities and high-quality care closer to home.”

Frank Morrison, HSE Integrated Service Lead said, “We are pleased to see the progression of this project. Recruitment is now underway for nursing, healthcare support and other staff to deliver services at the new hospital ahead of its opening in 2027.  Please visit the HSE Careers Hub: https://careerhub.hse.ie/ to stay up to date with current opportunities in our new state of the art facility.”

Lynn Stoddart, HSE General Manager for Leitrim and West Cavan CHA, said, "The new Community Hospital in addition to delivering high-quality residential and short-stay care, will support the provision of specialist outreach services and multidisciplinary teams, helping to ensure that people can access the care and support they need within their own community.  We look forward to working closely with GPs in the area with regards to this development.  This investment represents a significant step forward for healthcare services across Leitrim and the wider region."