Mental health unit mooted for St Vincent's site in Athlone

The HSE has indicated it's looking at establishing a new mental health residential unit on the site of St Vincent's Care Centre in Athlone.

The current residential care facility at the site is to be discontinued in the coming weeks, with residents and staff transferring to the new 48-bed Heartlands Care Centre facility in Clonbrusk in late March.

The ending of its current use led to speculation about what will happen with the site going forward.

The HSE said last summer that it was "reviewing" its accommodation needs in Westmeath with a view to putting "an appropriate plan in place" for the St Vincent's site.

The first public indication of what the site could be used for in future use came in the HSE’s 2026 Building and Equipment Capital Plan, which was announced today (Tuesday).

The plan allocated a sum of €56,140 towards 'appraisal' works on the establishment of a new mental health residential unit at St Vincent's care centre.

Today's plan also includes an allocation of €140,350 towards appraisal works on the long-discussed establishment of a new ambulance service base in Athlone, as well as €56,140 towards the yet-to-open Athlone Injury Unit in Clonbrusk.

Elsewhere in Westmeath, the HSE's capital plan allocated €1 million for Mullingar Resource Centre; €1.12 million for the Primary Care Unit at St Loman’s campus in Mullingar; and investment in Emergency Department expansion, ward accommodation and infrastructure upgrades at Regional Hospital Mullingar.

The funding allocations for the county were welcomed by Enterprise Minister Peter Burke, who said they would result in "real improvements" to local healthcare services.

"The investments set out in the 2026 HSE Capital Plan demonstrate a strong commitment to improving Westmeath’s health facilities and ensuring better access to care for patients," Minister Burke said.

"As our population continues to grow and people live longer, investing in modern healthcare infrastructure is essential.

"This funding will deliver real improvements on the ground, supporting frontline services and enhancing facilities for patients, families and staff across the county.

"By increasing capacity and modernising facilities, we are ensuring patients can access high quality care when and where they need it," he added.

The Heartlands Care Centre in Clonbrusk is due to open on the week starting Monday, March 23.

In recent weeks, the HSE said there were 39 current residents of the St Vincent's Care Centre facility who would transfer to the new site along with the staff team. Seven full-time staff roles are also due to be added due to the increased number of beds in Clonbrusk.

The relocation of South Westmeath Hospice services from the St Vincent's site is also scheduled to proceed next month, with four palliative care beds in the new nursing unit also scheduled to open on the week commencing March 23.