New ambulance base poised for St Brigid's Hospital lands in Ballinasloe
A letter was submitted by the NAS in response to a parliamentary question by Claire Kerrane TD, asking the Minister for Health to consider the establishment of a new ambulance base on the HSE-owned lands.
A review has recently been taking place between the NAS and the local HSE Capital & Estates office into the use of lands at St Brigid's Hospital in Ballinasloe.
In the review, the NAS indicated the requirement for a new ambulance base to replace the existing facility and said that this provision had been included in the lands to be retained by the HSE.
The NAS has also pointed to a need for a fixed long-term base for educational facilities in the region, with college services currently provided from the Ballinasloe Enterprise Centre building.
"I welcome any new service being made available on the St. Brigid's site, especially a much-needed new ambulance base to replace the current one in Ballinasloe,' Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon-Galway Claire Kerrane said.
"I have also asked the HSE that they consider co-locating a purpose specific education facility for the National Ambulance Service given their need for a new education centre. I believe St Brigid's is a perfect location for both, and it would be beneficial to have them co-located.
"I again call on the HSE to explore what other services and supports can be provided to the people of Ballinasloe and surrounding areas on the St Brigid's site before moving to the open market which could see lands sitting on the market for a long time, providing a perfect excuse for the HSE not to do more to develop it."
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