Extension to Portiuncula Emergency Department proposed

A submission seeking extra capacity at the Emergency Department in Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, is currently being appraised by the HSE.

In its capital plan published today, the HSE said the submission "is being assessed in line with HSE Protocols and Public Spending Code requirements."

Meanwhile, a project at the Ballinasloe hospital involving the creation of eight single en-suite rooms and two two-bed en suite rooms in the existing outpatients department is underway and due to be completed by the end of 2023. A €4m allocation has been provided in the capital plan.

Construction work is also ongoing on a new 50-bed ward block to replacing existing ward accommodation. Some €15.4m has been provided in this year's plan for the work.

The construction of a new CT Scanner room and associated facilities in an existing area to allow the existing scanner to be placed is being finalised, with equipping and commissioning underway. An allocation of €80,000 was provided this year.

Finally, a new IT room for the hospital is also being built at a cost for 2023 of €60,000, whilst an upgrade of the fire detection and alarm system is underway, thanks to a 2023 allocation of €42,000.