HSE agrees €1.9m settlement with South Westmeath Hospice group over facility's move

The HSE and the South Westmeath Hospice Foundation announced this afternoon (Friday) that they've reached an agreement over the relocation of the palliative care beds from the St Vincent's Care Centre site to the new Heartlands Care Centre in Clonbrusk, Athlone.

As part of the agreement, the HSE has reimbursed the South Westmeath Hospice Foundation with a settlement of €1.9 million, which the local committee said would now be used "to further enhance and expand palliative care supports" in the region.

The HSE and the South Westmeath Hospice Foundation issued a joint statement today, formally ending a years-long dispute between the two sides over the long-term location for hospice care services in Athlone.

The existing hospice, on the site of St Vincent's Care Centre, was put in place with the help of a significant local fundraising effort but the agreement announced today confirms that the four palliative care beds will move to the Heartlands Care Centre which is scheduled to open in late March.

The full joint statement issued by the HSE and the South Westmeath Hospice Foundation today reads as follows:

The HSE and the South Westmeath Hospice Foundation have reached agreement regarding the relocation of four Level 2 palliative care support beds to the new Heartlands Care Centre in Athlone.

For a number of years, there had been uncertainty around the future location of these beds. Following a lengthy mediation process and constructive engagement between both parties, a positive outcome has now been achieved.

Under the agreement, the four existing Level 2 palliative care support beds will transfer to the state-of-the-art Heartlands Care Centre.

The new facility will provide modern en-suite bedrooms, assisted bathing facilities, access to a garden, and dedicated family rooms, including overnight accommodation. The beds form part of the wider Heartlands Care Centre, which will comprise 48 beds in total, alongside a new day centre replacing the existing day care centre in Athlone.

Clare Lennon, spokesperson for the Board of the South Westmeath Hospice Foundation, said: "This agreement marks the beginning of a new chapter for palliative care services in South Westmeath. Our volunteers have worked tirelessly over many years to support and develop these vital services, including raising €1.9 million to build the original four-bed unit in 2010.

"As part of this agreement, the HSE has reimbursed the Foundation with a settlement of €1.9 million, which will now be used to further enhance and expand palliative care supports in the region. Importantly, the same specialist Level 2 palliative care service will continue to be provided in Athlone, just in a new location. This agreement protects and strengthens services for patients and families, while allowing the Foundation to plan for future growth."

Following the agreement, the South Westmeath Hospice Foundation will continue to contribute to the high standard of care currently delivered at St Vincent’s Care Centre. In addition to the four Palliative Care Support Beds, the Foundation also supports a range of services including home care packages, counselling, and occupational therapy.

Carole Broadbank, IHA Midlands, said: "Through constructive discussions with the Board of the South Westmeath Hospice Foundation, the HSE is pleased to continue this positive working relationship. Heartlands Care Centre will provide high-quality, modern services for people in the area, and the HSE remains committed to supporting the delivery of compassionate, specialist palliative care into the future.

"I would like to acknowledge the ongoing support of the local community and look forward to continued collaboration with the Foundation."

The South Westmeath Hospice Foundation and the HSE expressed their gratitude to the local community, volunteers, and fundraisers whose continued support remains vital to the delivery of palliative care services in the region.