HSE Welcomes Significant Investment to Enhance and Expand Healthcare Services Across Mayo

HSE West and North West, is pleased to announce significant progress in the delivery of major capital projects in Mayo under the HSE’s Building and Equipment Capital Programme 2026. The HSE welcomes significant investment and commitment to infrastructure in Mayo as part of this plan.

This investment will enhance healthcare infrastructure, expand capacity, and modernise facilities directly benefiting patients, families, and frontline staff throughout the region.

A number of key transformative projects across Mayo are advancing, strengthening both hospital and community-based services and ensuring care is delivered more efficiently and closer to home, these include:

• Progress with the tender process for the extension and upgrade of the Emergency Department at Mayo University Hospital to support the expansion and modernisation of the department’s facilities. The development will enhance patient flow, increase clinical capacity, and provide improved treatment and assessment areas, ensuring a safer, more efficient environment for patients and staff while addressing current and future service demands.
• Progression of plans for Acute Inpatient Bed Capacity Expansion to support the early-stage planning and development of additional inpatient bed capacity, ensuring the hospital is well positioned to meet current and future service demands.
• Ballina Injury Unit which is already recruiting healthcare staff, the unit will help to reduce significant pressure at Mayo University Hospital Emergency Department
• Progress the design of a new Aseptic Compounding Unit at Mayo University Hospital to enhance on-site capacity for the safe preparation of sterile medications, including chemotherapy and other high-risk treatments.
• Castlebar Primary Care Centre at construction stage for an Enhanced Community Care Hub Fit-Out that will equip the new extension and help to expand primary and community-based services.
• Progression of plans for the new 50-bed Community Nursing Unit in Belmullet and 75 Bed Unit in Ballina Community Nursing Unit.
• Appraisal of Pharmacy Aseptic Oncology Compounding Unit at Mayo University Hospital.
• The Daisy Lodge in Cong has been approved for funding to support the construction of a new facility for use as a short break (respite) centre for children undergoing cancer treatment and their families, the facility will include shared spaces, activity areas and outdoor areas.
• The development of two high-support community residences at An Coilín and Teach Aisling which will help to provide accommodation for nine residents.
• Design phase of Áras Attracta, Swinford, Co. Mayo with complete refurbishment of existing 8 bed bungalow (bungalow 1) to provide a 4 bed Community Dwelling.
• A new Ambulance Base in Castlebar is included as a proposed project in the HSE’s Capital Plan 2026.

Mary Warde, Healthcare Area Manager, Mayo welcomed the announcement saying: “These investments represent a very significant commitment to expanding healthcare capacity and delivering the critical infrastructure required to enhance the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of care across our hospitals and community services throughout Mayo.

“It reflects a strategic investment in modern facilities, additional bed capacity, and improved clinical environments, ensuring that services are better equipped to meet growing demand, support frontline staff, and provide safer, more efficient, and patient-centred care now and into the future.”