Search Results for 'Simon Harris'

News in brief from around the county.

Two Government ministers have publicly backed plans for the development of a new elective hospital in Galway, calling for the project to be prioritised and completed “as quickly as possible”.

Local Independent Deputy, Denis Naughten, has been assured by senior HSE management and the Department of Health that tenders will be sought for the first phase of works for the fifty bed ward block at Portiuncula Hospital in the coming weeks with work is expected to commence on site in early 2020.

Local Minister of State, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran has noted that the statement this week from the HSE regarding the future of South Westmeath Hospice reaffirms commitments given to him by Health Minister, Simon Harris regarding the facility.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring confirmed this week that the Government has allocated €300,000 to support the opening of the new Mayo Hospice in Castlebar.

As the South Westmeath Hospice committee continue to raise and enhance public awareness regarding matters pertinent to the future of the palliative care unit in Athlone, a welcome development will occur on Thursday evening (September 26), as the HSE has formally invited the local volunteer group to meet with the Head of Social Care, Mr. Jude O’Neill, as negotiations pertaining to the future of the facility commence in earnest.

The Rehabilitative Training Allowance for people with disabilities should be restored as a matter of urgency, according to Galway East TD and Minister for Rural Affairs Seán Canney.

The planned closure by the HSE of the South Westmeath Hospice palliative care unit in Athlone has been shelved. The news was confirmed by Minister for Health, Simon Harris, following a meeting led by Minister of State, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran at which Longford/Westmeath Fine Gael Deputy Peter Burke and hospice committee members, Joe Whelan and Clare Lennon, were also in attendance.

A new elective hospital at Merlin Park, a new ambulance base in the city, and the provision of a blood science laboratory are three major projects which are in the pipeline for Galway as part of the Government’s €2 billion HSE capital spending plan.