Good and bad news for Laois health centres
Rathdowney health centre will be replaced by a state-of-the-art new primary care centre (PCC)
PLANS for new primary care centres in Rathdowney and Mountrath are moving ahead but Durrow and Borris-in-Ossory have lost out.
The two smaller towns are not included in the rollout of primary care centres (PCCs), which are far larger than health centres and provide a wider range of services.
A developer is expected to be appointed by the end of March for the Rathdowney PCC while an alternative site is being sought for the Mountrath PCC, after the site earmarked last year on the town’s Portlaoise road was ruled out due to potential flooding.
While Graiguecullen health centre is set for an upgrade, the HSE says it plans to review ‘the most suitable proposal to accommodate the existing population of south east Laois’, which is currently served by health centres in Ballylinan, The Swan and Graiguecullen.
Meanwhile, any upgrade to Clonaslee health centre will be subject to funding and other issues.
The update from the Health Service Executive (HSE) got a mixed response at a Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District meeting this week.
While the Rathdowney and Mountrath plans were welcomed, Cllr Ollie Clooney slammed the exclusion of Durrow as “a slap in the teeth” for smaller towns.
The update was provided in a letter from the HSE, in response to a motion from Cllr James Kelly regarding health centre plans in the municipal district. The letter states:
‘: A site owned by the Housing Authority, which had previously been identified as a possible location for a new health centre in Mountrath, has had to be ruled out due to the potential flooding risk.
‘The HSE is currently in the process of seeking approval to acquire another potential site for the development of a new health centre in Mountrath. Any development will be progressed in full compliance with BCAR and the Building Regulations, including Part M (Access & Use).
‘: This location was not included on the nationally approved list of locations for the rollout of the PCC programme. There are no plans to provide a primary care centre in Borris in Ossory. The HSE will review the future service delivery model for the area, to determine if upgrade works will be required to the existing health centre.
‘: The HSE recently initiated an expression of interest competition for a new PCC in Rathdowney, and evaluations are currently ongoing. Subject to internal approvals, the HSE hope to appoint a developer by end of Q1 2025.
‘: Now that there is more clarity regarding the geographical boundaries associated with the new restructuring of the HSE, there will be a review of the most suitable proposal to accommodate the existing population of south east Laois, encompassing Ballylinan HC, The Swan HC and Graiguecullen HC.
‘This may involve an expansion of existing PCC facilities in Carlow to accommodate both the Carlow requirements and the SE Laois requirements. In the interim, it is proposed to carry out upgrade works to Graiguecullen HC, as part of the minor capital works programme 2025.
‘: Following a title review, it has been confirmed that Clonaslee HC is under the ownership of the HSE. The HSE will now engage with the existing GP with a view to formalising their occupancy, prior to carrying out any upgrade works. Any future works are subject to internal approvals, funding and statutory compliances.
‘: This location was not included on the nationally approved list of locations for the roll out of the PCC programme. There are no plans to provide a primary care centre in Durrow. The HSE will review the future service delivery model for the area, to determine if upgrade works will be required to the existing health centre.’
Cllr Kelly said the health centres were small bungalows unsuitable for modern community needs and he was delighted that Rathdowney PCC was about to go ahead. He added: “We all knew the site in Mountrath was a potential flooding risk and I hope a site can be identified in the near future.”
Rathdowney councillor John King said two sites in the town were identified for a PCC and, while he was not sure which one it would be, the centre was badly needed as the area had a huge population.
Expressing “deep disappointment” with the response on Durrow, Cllr Clooney said it was “a slap in the teeth and typical of their attitude to smaller towns”.
He said: “They can’t even buy a lick of paint for the health centre in Durrow. We will continue the fight. It’s only the first round that is gone and we’ll keep on the pressure.”
Cllr Conor Bergin said he was disappointed that Borris-in-Ossory was not on the list, especially as the current location of the health centre was not appropriate. He suggested that the old courthouse currently undergoing renovation on Main Street should be considered, as rooms would be available if the HSE were interested.
Cllr Paddy Bracken commented: “Clonaslee has been in a bad way. I raised the lack of parking there before but nothing has come from that. Cllr McDonald raised this as well. Elderly people have to park on the side of a busy road, when there is ample space there to provide parking on the premises.”
Portlaoise, Portarlington and Mountmellick are currently the county’s only towns with PCCs, which provide a variety of medical clinics, therapies and community services in addition to GPs and public health nursing.
