A new €12 million community nursing home has been given the green light for Tuam – after the state played its part to back a €7 million donation from a North Galway philanthropic business man.
Health Minister Simon Harris confirmed that the new residential care unit for the elderly is to be built and opened by 2021. He also confirmed that the 50-bed unit will be part-funded by private donation.
It was learned recently that a millionaire businessman had made contact with the HSE West offering €7 million for the provision of a residential care unit as long as there was a commitment that the Department of Health would stump up the remaining cost.
Tuam area Councillor Donagh Killilea has now been informed in writing from the Minister that a capital programme provides for the replacement and refurbishment of 90 public nursing homes across the country – and this includes Tuam.
Minister Harris informed the Fianna Fail councillor that under this programme it is proposed to deliver a new community nursing unit in Tuam by 2021.
“This project is being part-funded by philanthropy and will replace existing beds where the physical environment requires significant improvement,” the Minister said in his response.
The new 50-bed residential unit will be provided on the site of the old Grove Hospital in Tuam where a multi-million primary care centre is currently under construction while there are also plans to transform the hospital building into a state-of-the-art mental health facility.
Cllr Killilea told The Connacht Tribune that he has been informed that when all elements of the Tuam Health Campus are completed, it will employ more than 300 staff which he said would be a huge boost for the economy of the town.
See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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