No palliative care unit planned for Ballinasloe

THE HSE does not plan to build an inpatient palliative care unit on its lands at St. Brigid’s Campus in Ballinasloe.

Regional Executive Officer for HSE West and North West Tony Canavan informed the recent meeting of Regional Health Forum West that they are planning to develop a new Hospice in Galway City in partnership with Galway Hospice Foundation.

The HSE is currently working with the foundation on identifying a site that will provide for additional bed capacity.

He said that the Palliative Care Support Unit (PCSU) in Roscommon has good utilisation, but is not “at its maximum” at all times.

The eight-bed purpose-built Palliative Care unit serves the areas of East Galway and Roscommon.

Ballinasloe Cllr Evelyn Francis Parsons expressed disappointment over the decision. “We should be planning for not only today’s needs but also for the next 20 years at least,” she remarked.

She enquired if a formal population needs assessment has been undertaken for East Galway, given that “cancer care cases are projected to double by 2045” due to population growth and ageing.

Mr Canavan responded that the National Palliative Care strategy decides where palliative care units should be developed and where inpatient beds should be located.