Frustration deepens with another delay in planned works for Buncrana Community Hospital

Local representatives have expressed their dismay at the continued delay in works at Buncrana Community Hospital.

Construction was due to begin last June, but the work on the site never started. After a three-month delay, work was scheduled to commence in September, but it was delayed again until the first three months of this year, and now there is another stall.

The facility comprises two units, namely the main ward and the recently refurbished Ash ward, and is registered for 41 beds.

The Community Hospital was granted planning permission for the extension in September 2024. The single-storey extension will house six one-bed wards for residents. In addition, the single-storey extension will also include a waiting area and a visitors' room. It is also planned to convert the existing smoking room into a new day room for residents.

READ NEXT: Slight increase in number of people signing on at Buncrana social welfare office

The facility upgrade will be the second major health-related project built in the Buncrana area in recent years, after the new Primary Care Centre on nearby Maginn Avenue opened its doors in 2022.

“I have been informed through correspondence received by Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD that the long-awaited works at Buncrana Community Hospital have been delayed yet again - this time until Quarter 3 of this year,” Sinn Féin’s Cllr Jack Murray posted.

“This project was originally meant to begin in June last year, then September, then early this year. Now we are told it will be later again. Once the works finally start, they are expected to take 18 months, meaning it will be two more years before the facility is ready.

“What makes this even more frustrating is that capacity at the hospital will not increase when the project is finished. After all these delays, failing to expand places is a badly missed opportunity at a time when demand for care is growing.

“Buncrana Community Hospital is a vital facility for families across the local area. I am regularly contacted by many people whose loved ones are now being cared for miles from home because places simply are not available locally. That is incredibly hard on families. This situation needs urgency and leadership.

“I will be working with Pádraig Mac Lochlainn to press the HSE and the Department of Health to ensure it starts as soon as possible without any further delay. People in Inishowen have waited long enough – and I know this news will be painful for many.”

“I am extremely disappointed to wake up to the news that the works at Buncrana Community Hospital have once again been delayed,” said Clly Joy Beard of the 100% Redress Party.

“These works were originally scheduled to begin last June, then were pushed back to the beginning of this year, and now we are hearing that the project is not expected to begin until the third quarter of this year. This constant kicking the can down the road is incredibly frustrating for the people of Buncrana and the wider Inishowen community.

“I have been corresponding with the HSE regarding the urgent works and received confirmation that work was expected to begin in Q1. I recently requested an update but have yet to receive a response. I will, of course, be following this up to express the views and disappointment of our community at yet another delay and to seek clear answers on when these works will finally begin. This is not good enough!”