KILDARE: €20m facelift for St Vincent's Hospital in Athy

Politicians have welcomed the granting of planning permission for a 92-bed community nursing unit in Athy. 

The €20m project will involve the demolition of five prefab single storey wings attached to the original St Vincent's Hospital on Woodstock Street which is a protected structure.

The former workhouse section of the complex was built in 1843.

The total demolition area is approximately 4,150 square metres.

The phased construction of a new two storey 92 bed community nursing unit will include two single-storey dementia wards with a total area of approximately 7,056 square metres.

Phase One will comprise the two-storey 48-bed unit to the rear of the site of 3,010m2.

Phase Two of the development consists of 1 and 2 storey building elements linked to Phase One containing 44 bedroom units and associated courtyards.

Sinn Féin TD Patricia Ryan, the party's spokesperson for Older People,  said she is delighted to see the development receiving planning permission.

Ms Ryan said: Having visited this facility in Athy recently, it will be fantastic for the people of Athy and surrounding areas.

"The staff in St Vincent's hospital do incredible work in looking after our older people."

Kildare South based Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has welcomed the granting of planning permission for the new 92 bed hospital at St Vincent’s in Athy.

 Senator O’Loughlin said: "St Vincents Athy is a key service to our community and one that I passionately advocate for within the Oireachtas.”

“I helped ensure that an allocation of €900,000 was made available to St Vincents in Athy under the Health 2022 Capital Plan. This is an allocation I had worked closely with Minister Stephen Donnelly to secure.”

“This is a huge step forward and I will be continuing to advocate on behalf of our community to ensure that we see adequate and top class healthcare provision in Athy.”

Senator O'Loughlin concluded by saying: “St Vincent[s provide great care and give great service to our community and our loved ones. This planning approval will help them continue to do so into the future.”