'Recruitment process for additional nursing staff ' for new Carrick-on-Shannon hospital has commenced

The recruitment process for additional nursing staff for a new 90-bed, €38 million Community Nursing Unit (CNU) which is under construction on Ballynamony Road in Carrick-on-Shannon, with completion expected in early 2027. This HIQA-compliant facility will replace the older St. Patrick’s Hospital, providing long-stay, short-stay, dementia-specific, and rehabilitation beds in a modern, "household" designed environment.

In a question to the Regional Health Forum West and North West, Leitrim Cathaoirleach, Cllr Paddy Farrell asked when recruitment will start for the facility. 
He was advised by John Fitzmaurice, Integrated Health Area Manager, Sligo, Leitrim, West Cavan, South Donegal that work force planning for the new hospital in Carrick on Shannon remains under ongoing review.

He said: "Staff who are currently based in St. Patrick’s Community Hospital, will relocate to the new hospital, once it is operational. The recruitment process for additional nursing staff has commenced, while the recruitment processes for all other grades are scheduled for the coming months. The construction of the new hospital is scheduled to be completed in Quarter 2 2027 and recruitment processes will align with this timeline."

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The Cathaoirleach also asked if there will be a x-ray unit installed in the new facility with Mr Fitmaurice replying that the facility does not include X-ray unit before adding, that "one of the strategic priorities of the Community Diagnostics Strategy for the Sligo South Donegal Leitrim West Cavan Integrated Healthcare area is to develop a diagnostics hub in Carrick on Shannon which would include X-ray facilities. Initial scoping to include proposal in relation to this as part of the future development of the current St Pats Hospital (once the new hospital is operational) has commenced."