The Health Service Executive (HSE) South West is facing renewed pressure to speed up the development of a new acute mental health facility at St Stephen’s Hospital in Glanmire. The call follows confirmation that the project is still at the first stage of planning, known as the Strategic Assessment Report (SAR).
The HSE provided the update in response to a parliamentary question from Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central, John Paul O’Shea. The executive explained that the proposal is still being prepared in line with national infrastructure guidelines and that the tender process for the design team is ongoing.
Deputy O’Shea said the lack of progress is alarming, especially as demand for modern mental health services continues to rise. He described the current facilities as outdated and unsuitable for today’s needs. He warned that each delay affects the people and families who depend on improved mental health care.
He urged the HSE to make the project a priority and move it forward without further hesitation.
O’Shea stressed that the region urgently needs more capacity to meet growing mental health needs and to ensure that patients receive care in safe, modern buildings. He said mental health services must be treated with the same urgency as all other parts of the health system. He called on the HSE to advance the project to the next phase immediately and to provide a clear timeline for its delivery.
The TD also stated that he will continue to push the HSE South West until the project moves beyond early assessments and into active development.
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