Delayed HSE eye care service for Laois finally set to open in Portlaoise

The resumption of HSE specialist eye services for Laois at a Portlaoise community hub by the summer has finally been confirmed nearly two years since the health service secured planning permission.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley, independent, confirmed the already promised resumption of eye treatment services is set to be delivered within the next three months at the Treo Nua Centre on Harpurs Lane in the Knockmay area of Portlaoise.

The HSE confirmed that it had decided to open an outreach Ophthalmology Unit in Laois in June 2024, with planning permission granted in September 2024. Accommodation in the building that was already in the posession of the HSE will be used.

Despite this delay, Cllr Dwane Stanley welcomed news that a timeframe has been put on the recommencement of the service in Laois as Chairperson of Treo Nua.

"Both the Manager and Board of Treo Nua have been liaising closely with the HSE to enable this development," she said.

The Portlaoise Municipal District representative said that she had worked with Brian Stanley TD to have the service resumed in  Laois. She outlined what had been missed.

"The absence of a Laois service has meant that residents from throughout the county have had to travel as far as Athlone in recent years to attend eye specialist appointments. This caused particular difficulties for those living in the south and east of the county, due to the extra distance they had to travel. In many cases, whole days had to be taken off from work and school to attend," she said.

READ NEXT: New date set for Laois domestic violence refuge funding application

The councillor said new clinic will be staffed by one full-time consultant and the necessary support staff. She added that it would be aligned with the Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin, with people from around Laois able to access the care provided within the next three months.

Cllr Dwane Stanley concluded by thanking the HSE management for choosing Treo Nua and looked forward to its resumption.

READ NEXT: Portloise resident takes the reins of big Laois Kildare credit union

The planning permission grated to the HSE allows for a nurses administration room, three clinical consulting rooms and an ophthalmological dark room.