Fine Gael TD for Roscommon/South Leitrim, Frank Feighan, has said that the approval in the 2014 HSE Capital Plan of a multi-million euro Rehabilitation Unit planned for Roscommon Hospital is another landmark moment for the hospital.

When built, the unit will operate as a satellite centre to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire and will operate under its auspices.

Mr Feighan said: "The inclusion of Roscommon Hospital in the 2014 HSE Capital Plan formally paves the way for the development of a state-of-the-art Western Region Specialist Rehabilitation Unit on the site of the hospital grounds.

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"The development will involve the building of a stand-alone 20 bed inpatient ward to provide consultant-led rehabilitation services for the whole Western Region.

"Due to the range of specialist therapy services to be provided, staffing requirements will be extensive so I’m delighted that a significant number of extra jobs will be created at the hospital as a result.

"The National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire is currently the only comprehensive rehabilitation facility in the Republic for patients with physical and cognitive impairments. There are no dedicated rehab units in the West and I have highlighted the serious deficiencies in such services in the region with the Minister for Health, James Reilly.

"Clearly, this satellite Rehab Unit at Roscommon will relieve pressure on existing services and waiting times in Dún Laoghaire and will also allow patients to be treated in their own community."

(CD/MH)