A group campaigning for the future of a community hospital in Stranorlar is planning a demonstration this weekend.
It was announced in 2016 that St Joseph’s Residential Care Unit would be replaced by a new public/private hospital in Letterkenny in 2021.
However in November last year, during a visit by delegation from the Save St Joseph’s Hospital Action Group, the Minister of State at the Department of Health Jim Daly said that decision has now been rescinded.
Despite this the group say it is not confident the facility is secure and are organising a march through Stranorlar and Ballybofey today starting at 1.30pm.
The HSE says the redevelopment of St Joseph’s Community Hospital is included in the HSE Capital Plan.
It adds that an application for funding in 2019 is part of the capital bid submitted by HSE Estates North West.
The HSE 2019 Capital Plan is currently being finalised and it is intended to proceed with the procurement of a design team for this project this year, subject to normal approvals.
The HSE adds that it is committed to the long term future of the hospital at St Joseph’s and will continue to work to ensure full HIQA compliance at the facility.
Chairperson of Save Our St. Joseph’s Hospital Action Group is Fr. John Joe Duffy.
