Laois health centre compared to 'Third World' as plans for new facility drags on

A health centre in Laois has been described as a "third-world" facility, as local councillors demand the HSE address capacity issues in some of the county's outdated centres. 

Councillor James Kelly has called for an urgent update on the promised funding and redevelopment of the Mountrath Health Centre to provide a larger and more modern Primary Care Centre. 

The HSE promised that a new primary care facility would be developed in Mountrath in 2021. The existing health centre was ruled out for any upgrades or expansions in 2022 as it was considered by the HSE as an unsuitable site.

Since then, three other sites were considered such as one which belonged to Laois County Council on the Portlaoise Road, another site on the Castletown Road, and one which was more accessible to the town centre. 

After rejecting these sites, last year the HSE went back on their initial decision and decided to go ahead with the extension and refurbishment of the existing centre on the Link Road. 

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Addressing Laois County Council at the March meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick MD, Cllr Kelly stated that €340,000 had originally been allocated to the project along with the later addition of €250,000.

In February, a further €56,140 was allocated to appraise the extension of the Mountrath Primary Care Centre under the Building and Equipment Capital Plan for 2026. 

Cllr Kelly said that he has been raising this issue since 2014 and nothing has came to fruition on it yet.

"The health care centre is totally inadequate. Doctors and nurses are caring for people in third-world facilities. There could be up to 14 staff working out of a small bungalow in the centre of the town," Cllr Kelly told the council.

He argued that this issue with Mountrath Health Centre is also evident in Rathdowney, Durrow and Borris-in-Ossory, wherein the town health centres cannot cater for the population. 

The Independent councillor was backed by his fellow councillors, with them all in agreement that the HSE must address the ongoing problems with local health centres.

Cllr John King said the HSE are "playing games" when it comes to answering any questions.

He insisted: "The population is increasing and these centres are not fit for purpose. They're outdated and way too small."

Cllr Kelly concluded by saying he hopes the HSE will work with the surrounding landowners so that planning can go ahead for a new centre. 

Laois County Council said they will issue correspondence to the HSE requesting an update. 

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme