On a recent visit to Longford and Westmeath Minister for Health James Reilly TD officially opened the new Cluain Lir Care Centre in Mullingar. The new facility which is described as a 'home from home' is designed and planned with an individual patient care ethos.

The new unit replaces the old St. Mary's Community Nursing Unit and Psychiatry for Late Life services on the St. Loman's campus in Mullingar. The transfer of the residential clients to the Care Centre took place on a phased basis.

There are currently 41 residents (capacity being 42) in the Psychiatry of Later Life section of the building and currently 39 residents in the Older Persons section of the building (capacity being 48).

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Commenting Minister Reilly said: "This is a great example of multidisciplinary work in practice. It is important to have responsive care models which place the client/service user at the centre of how services are delivered ensuring that we can meet their individual needs."

Joseph Ruane, Area Manager said: "The new facility marks the coming together of two services with their own distinct ethos and regulator bodies under the one roof to the benefit of residents. It provides for a service that is responsive to the needs while providing for greater efficiency."

The new build consists of a two story building with a total floor area 8,074m2 approximately. The building was designed to incorporate part of the original building including the church and consists of 1,582m² car parking facilities at basement level, 6,200m² residential accommodation/therapy areas provided on ground & first floor levels & 292m² for an energy centre. The construction contract value is approximately €16m (incl. VAT).

(CD)