Minister for Health, Simon Harris T.D. has today announced 250 projects and €2 billion investment in the HSE’s Capital Plan over the next three years, and WexfordToday.com has learned that important projects included in the plan for Wexford  and the South East include the refurbishment and extension of Gorey Community Nursing Unit and the provision of 75 new beds for Wexford General Hospital.

The plan also includes the provision of 2^nd Cath Lab at Waterford University  Hospital currently under design, an Ophthalmology Unit at WUH currently under construction, the development of a new block at WUH including palliative care unit, a new mortuary at the hospital (It is expected a contract will be awarded by the end of October and construction will commence before the end of the year), 100 new beds at Waterford city community nursing units and 95 beds at Dungarvan community nursing unit.

Minister Michael D’Arcy said; “Today is a landmark moment for healthcare in Wexford and the South East. This investment will make a real difference to the health system here and will benefit the people of Wexford for years to come.

Welcoming the publication of the plan, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said; “Under Project 2040, we are doubling investment in healthcare infrastructure and equipment from €5 billion in the last ten year period to more than €10bn in this one. 

“This Plan sets out how we will spend more than €2 billion between now and 2021 on new hospitals, better local health facilities in your community and hundreds of much needed extra hospital beds.

“This investment comes at a time of positive progress in our health service, despite the considerable challenges we still face. Waiting times for operations and procedures at long last are going down.  By the end of this year, the number of hospital beds will be back above 11,000 for the first time since 2009. More and more people can go to the doctor free of charge and we have a new contract in place for our GPs and nurses.

Minister Harris said; “The Capital Plan being published today is a continued sign of the investment taking place in our health service. This is phase one of our ten-year capital investment programme. Over the next three years, we are committing to 250 projects across the country, 480 new beds, 30 new primary care centres, 58 community nursing units, and significant investment in mental health and disability projects in the community.”