Health Minister updated on Carlow healthcare facilities during visit

Health Minister, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill was updated on development plans for several HSE community facilities in Carlow during a visit last week.

HSE Dublin and South East welcomed the Minister for Health to St Dympna’s Woodlands Garden Project, Kevlin Court, the Sacred Heart Hospital, the site of the proposed Minor Injury Unit, and the new NAS base during the visit. The Minister was accompanied by Martina Queally, REO, HSE Dublin and South East, senior regional management, leadership and staff across both community and hospital services.

Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, special responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and the National Drugs Strategy and Catherine Callaghan, TD were also in attendance.

Speaking during the visit, Minister Carroll MacNeill, said: “I was delighted to visit community healthcare facilities in Carlow. I saw the care and kindness shown to the residents of Sacred Heart hospital and Kevlin Court and the supports and facilities they have to ensure they can live their lives as independently as possible.

“HSE Dublin and South East Estates provided an update to me on the injury unit and the new ambulance base, based on St Dympna’s campus, both projects will be beneficial in providing the right care at the right time to those living in Carlow.

“It was great to have this opportunity to visit with my colleagues, Minister Jennifer Murnane O'Connor and Catherine Callaghan TD and to see how much investment has been coming to Carlow and how much is to come to expand supports for those living in Carlow, who need them.”

Martina Queally, REO, HSE Dublin and South East, was delighted to welcome the Health Minister to the region on behalf of all the staff and service users.

“Thank you to the Minister for coming to Carlow to visit our community-based healthcare facilities. This gave us an opportunity to show the development of community healthcare facilities in Carlow over the last number of years and the importance of continued investment in community healthcare in this region.

“We look forward to growing and developing both hospital and community-based healthcare services and supporting those living in Carlow to access these services closer to home.”

The visit included:

• St Dympha’s Woodlands Garden Project

Located in the corner of the St Dympna’s campus, Athy Road, Carlow, an area of overgrown ground was transformed into a woodlands garden over the past year by staff and service users from the HSE’s Carlow Mental Health Day Service Centre. They were supported by Kilkenny-Carlow Education and Training Board (CKETB).

Visiting the area, Minister Carroll MacNeill saw first-hand the beautiful transformation and work by the HSE’s Carlow Mental Health Day Services in bringing this disused area back to life.

• Kevlin Court, located at St. Dympna’s Hospital grounds

A purpose built and self-contained residential intellectual disability care complex, Kelvin Court comprises of four bungalows (Barrow, Burren, Lir and Slaney). Located on St. Dympna’s Hospital grounds, Kelvin Court provides medium‐to‐high support for up to 18 residents with intellectual disabilities. The adjacent Castle Day Services and Activation Centre is also part of the Kelvin Court complex.

During the visit, the Health Minister was updated on the Photovoltaic (PV) installations at Kelvin Court, which has resulted in most of its own energy needs being met for the residents and staff of the disability care residential and support facilities.

• Sacred Heart Hospital (Residential Care Centre for Older Persons)

The Minister then visited the Sacred Heart Hospital, which is a 63-bed residential care centre facility, with accommodation arranged in three interconnecting units (the Sacred Heart, St. Clare's and St. James’s units). During the visit, the Minister met with residents while they enjoyed their daily activities.

• Minor Injury Unit, St Dympna’s Hospital

The proposed 10 bay Minor Injuries Unit, to be located at St. Dympna’s Hospital, will be under the remit of St. Luke’s General Hospital. Minister Carroll MacNeill was briefed on plans for its development, its current progress by HSE Dublin and South East and how once fully operationally, it will provide an alternative for patients with minor injuries instead of attending an emergency department.

• New NAS Ambulance Base

HSE Dublin and South East is currently working with the National Ambulance Service (NAS) to progress engaging a design team for the development of a new ambulance base at Kelvin Grove, Carlow. During her visit, the Health Minister heard how the design team will be appointed in the fourth quarter of 2025 after the project was included in the HSE Capital Plan.