Plans for retail unit in Laois town to be demolished for new medical centre
Lack of GPs and growing population in Mountmellick referenced in new planning application
Plans to demolish a retail unit in a Laois town and build a medical centre in its place have been lodged with Laois County Council.
An application for planning permission has been submitted by Ramy David to demolish a retail unit on Lord Edward Street, Mountmellick. He is seeking permission to construct a ground floor medical centre, a first floor two bedroom apartment, car parking and bin stores to the rear of the site and all associated site works.
The application outlines the need for such a facility referencing the increased pressure on Ireland’s primary care system with strains most prevalent in rural areas.
The applicant said a shortage of local GPs and primary care infrastructure is leading to the public presenting at hospitals for treatment.
“Ireland has an ageing population, which carries a rising burden of chronic disease requiring consistent, long-term management rather than isolated treatments. It is explicit that the centralised hospital capacity is currently prepared for crisis-point intervention, the worst scenario outcomes of disease. Opportunistic diagnostic and community-based care is the sustainable and realistic route to begin managing this burden at a macro-scale.
“Reading this, we can conclude the national shortage of GP access synthesized with the growing pressure of chronic disease and ageing population describe the need we wish to facilitate, community scale healthcare infrastructure.”
The application also states that Mountmellick is among the fastest growing towns in Laois and emphasises the need for regular access to GPs for the population into the future.
The accommodation will be arranged over two floors, the ground floor will comprise four consultation rooms, an office, reception, two WCs and ancillary accommodation as listed.
Laois County Council has since deemed the application invalid due to an issue with the floor plans and requirements relating to the apartment. The application will have to be resubmitted when completed.