New mental health facility for Donegal

The HSE in Donegal, along with Boyle Construction, Trentagh, Letterkenny, have signed contracts for the construction of a new community mental health centre on the campus of Donegal Community Hospital in Donegal Town.

The €2 million development will deliver a modern centre for community mental health services in the South Donegal area.

The construction of a new purpose-built Mental Health and Child & Family Services building on the Donegal Community Hospital campus will replace and enhance those services currently provided from a number of different locations within Donegal Town. The 680 square metre two storey building has been designed as a modern, well equipped, accessible premises which is user friendly and will accommodate the needs of those availing of Mental Health services.

The new Mental Health and Child & Family Services building will provide the following services:

  • Consultant-led medical services for Adult Mental Health
  • Consultant-led medical services for Child and Family Mental Health
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Clinical nurse specialists in Adult Mental Health
  • Multidisciplinary professionals such as psychology, Social Work and O. T.
  • Visiting psychiatry of Old Age Services
  • Visiting clinical nurse specialist and advanced nurse practitioner services

The building will act as a hub for South West Donegal for Outpatients Clinics, Nurse Lead Clinics and Home-based Services.

John Hayes, Area Manager, HSE Donegal said that the commencement of this building project will result in the delivery of services in the South Donegal area in a modern environment, thus benefitting service users and their families. Mr Hayes acknowledged staff from the Adult Mental Health Services and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) who were involved in the Design Stage of Planning. He also acknowledged the work of the HSE Estates Department and the Design team in bringing the project to fruition.

Welcoming the development, Dr Don Mc Dwyer, Consultant Psychiatrist, CAHMS said, “I’m delighted that the project is going ahead, and look forward to its timely completion. It will improve the service for CAMHS patients, and help to enhance the already strong links with our colleagues in the Adult Mental Health Service.”

The Architects for the project are Rhatigan and Company Architects Sligo, with Structural Engineering Services by Taylor & Boyd Belfast, Civil Engineering Services by Patrick McCaul Environmental Consulting Engineers, Omagh and Quantity Surveyor Services by Albert Strain & Associates, Letterkenny.