Fine Gael TD for Roscommon/South Leitrim, Frank Feighan, has officially turned the sod on the €6 million Ballinamore Community Hospital and Primary Care Centre.

This significant project involves the building of a modern purpose built Primary Care Centre and interconnected 20-bed Community Hospital - or as it is formally known, Care Managed Unit (CMU) - which will also include a day service facility.

Mr Feighan said: "It is a great privilege for me as the local Government TD to turn the sod on this wonderful development, which will serve the people of Ballinamore and surrounding areas.

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"This is the second major project to get underway in Ballinamore in the last eight months, with work now well underway on the new community school. I am delighted that both the school and this €6m health project will both open their doors next year.

"I am very pleased that the construction of this Community Hospital and Primary Care Centre will now commence, which will be major additions to the local and regional health infrastructure.

"The CMU will help support older people in the community to continue to manage their own lives, supported by valued teams of health care staff in a home-like environment.

"The role of the new Primary Care Centre also certainly fits in with the Government's primary care strategy, which is to provide a range of key specialist services addressing the health needs of local communities – and all under the one roof.

"Using this approach, the primary point of contact between a person and the health system is through their local Primary Care Team. Accordingly, it makes absolute sense that HSE staff and local GPs can share information and jointly plan care for people living in our communities."

(CD)