Picture Brian Gavin Press 22
Phase One of the new building development at Raheen Community Nursing Unit was officially launched by Ms Kathleen Lynch TD, Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Primary Care, Social Care and Mental Health on Monday 19th October.
The first phase of the development forms part of an overall plan to upgrade resident accommodation at the Community Nursing Unit. The project comprises the construction of a new extension that will provide seven new bedrooms all with ensuite facilities. A number of ancillary rooms will be included in the development and will comprise of a living room, visitors’ room and an upgraded plant room as well as associated site works. Refurbishment works, which are planned for later in the construction programme, will result in a new nurses’ station and garden room.
A total of €1.6m has been allocated to this project and it is anticipated that phase one will be completed by June 2016.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Lynch said, “My priority as Minister of State with responsibility for Social Care is to ensure that all our residential facilities are patient centred with the highest standards in both care and the physical environment. I am, therefore, delighted to officially launch the building programme at Raheen Community Nursing Unit. The programme will deliver improvement in both personal and communal accommodation as well as general amenities which will have a beneficial effect not only for residents and their families but also for staff working in these units.”
DK Architects designed the plans for the new development and O’Brien Construction is the contractor appointed to deliver the new extension.
Marissa Butler, Director of Nursing, commented, “The new building project will contribute to the person centred ethos and philosophy of care for the residents within Raheen Community Nursing Unit. We are delighted that it has been designed in a way that enhances the residents’ abilities to live a meaningful life with the single and twin rooms further adding to each resident’s dignity and privacy. Within the existing building, residents will have greater room and better opportunities to meet with their relatives in a homely setting. In addition the new enclosed garden will allow residents to enjoy a safe outdoor space.”
William McLysaght, Chairman of the Raheen Hospital Support Group, added “I am delighted to see how the collaborative efforts of the support group, in conjunction with the HSE and local people and representatives are being realised today. The building project gives a lot of confidence to the people of East Clare about the future of this facility. We are committed in supporting Raheen Commuity Nursing Unit and indeed over the past years have assisted the HSE in providing an enhanced level of comfort to residents. We are confident that this development will contribute further to the quality of lives for the residentsand their families.”
Bernard Gloster, Chief Officer, HSE Mid West Community Healthcare, said, “I want to thank Minister Lynch for officially launching the building programme for Raheen Community Nursing unit. The new extension has been carefully designed to ensure that residents will receive the care they require in as home like an environment as possible. The programme will deliver a first class facility to allow people from the locality to avail of residential care close to home, their families and friends well into the future. I would also like to thank the Raheen Hospital Support Group who has worked with the HSE over the past three decades in supporting the delivery of services to the residents. I would also like to thank HSE Estates, DK architects and O’Brien Construction for their planning and design for the new extension and I look forward to seeing the completed building next year.”
