Louth to benefit from new ambulance station in Dundalk

Health services in Louth are set to benefit following the announcement today by Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, of plans for a new ambulance station in Dundalk, as part of the Government's Capital Plan 2025 for health projects, which includes an investment of €4.5m million in Louth, as part of €1.33 billion allocated nationally for the development and enhancement of healthcare infrastructure

The plan for a new ambulance station, which is at an appraisal stage, would see the provision of a new ambulance station on a green field site in Dundalk. The accommodation at the new station will consist of general admin, office, rest and staff rooms, kitchenette & dining, toilets & stores, sluice and laundry rooms, staff changing & locker rooms, ICT room, training & meeting rooms, record room, plant room, three vehicle garage and canopy for 16 vehicles with a wash bay.

Along with the new ambulance station, the funding also provides for reconfiguration and refurbishment of HSE Boyneview House, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda, in accordance with the Acute Inpatient Bed Capacity Expansion Plan:

• New ward block with inpatient beds, Endoscopy Day Services & Trauma Services,
• Modular 15 bay surge ward consisting of two ward rooms and associated utility rooms,
• Psychiatry of later life unit (POLL) – proposed 10 bed extension, 
• Replacement of existing OPD Modular building to Crosslanes with an extended Multi-storey building. This will provide improved and additional Outpatients capacity.

Other highlights in the HSE Dublin and North East region include:

• A new three-storey extension block at Cavan General Hospital to provide an Oncology Unit.
• Acute inpatient beds in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.
• Phase two works for the replacement linacs programme on Beaumont Hospital Campus.
• A new 96 single inpatient bed ward block in Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown.

Welcoming the news of the investment in Louth, local Fine Gael TD, Paula Butterly said that "investment in our health service is essential, and today’s announcement, is a strong demonstration of this Government’s commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible healthcare in our communities. This is welcome news that will help bring healthcare services closer to home and better meet the needs of patients and families across Louth."

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Nationally, the Department of Health says that investment in 2025 will enable the progression of multiple Government priority projects, including the completion of the New Children's Hospital, construction of the National Maternity Hospital, continued delivery of additional bed capacity under the Acute Hospital Inpatient Bed Capacity Expansion Plan 2024-2031, and construction of new Surgical Hubs and Elective Care Centres.

It also facilitates the development of infrastructure to support mental health service delivery and the delivery of more Primary Care Centres and community-based infrastructure to help ensure people can access appropriate care closer to home.

Announcing today's plan, Minister Carroll MacNeill said: “The HSE Capital Plan sets out the priorities for investment in 2025 in order to deliver a better, more sustainable health service for everyone. By investing in these critical projects across the Dublin and North east, we are taking decisive steps towards a more resilient, efficient, and accessible health service for all.

“This funding will not only increase our capacity to deliver high-quality care but will also ensure that patients receive timely treatment in modern, state-of-the-art facilities.”