The Minister for Health Dr James Reilly TD today (Thursday 27th June 2013) turned the sod on the new extension to the Services for Older People Residential Unit at Virginia Community Heath Centre.

The project involves the construction of a new two story extension to the front and sides of the existing Community Health Centre which will provide 26 single en-suite bedrooms, sitting areas, dining areas, storage and staff facilities. In addition, there will be internal alterations and demolitions to the existing ward areas.

On completion of the new build and renovation works, the facility will have a total number of 50 bedrooms which will be fully HIQA compliant. Work is due to commence in June with a proposed completion date of April 2014. This project will result in a specifically designed building based on the "Places to Flourish Model".

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In addition, there will be alterations to the existing road and footpath network and provision of new roads, footpaths and car parking facilities. As part of the project the HSE intend to perform fire safety upgrade works and remedial works to the existing building.

The design team was appointed in late August 2012, and in the intervening nine months, the project has been brought from concept stage through to contract award and commencement on site. This is a remarkable achievement given the complex nature of the project and it could only have been made possible by the cooperation of the management and nursing staff of the Virginia facility. Their insightful contributions will in time result in a facility which will deliver state of the art residential accommodation to the people of Virginia and surrounding areas.

Minister Reilly said: "I am very happy to be able to turn the sod on a development like this. Community Health centres such as Virginia will be the centre of future health services. It will be the place where people go to get well and stay well. It will ensure that people stay at home, in their communities, and continue to enrich and be enriched by those communities. It is where people want to be, and where I and this Government intend to support them to be. The incorporation of the Places to Flourish model for the residential care side will ensure that people stay connected to their community, and continue to flourish in their community, even though in a new setting."

(CD/JP)