Psychiatric unit opened by Martin

A PSYCHIATRIC unit has been officially opened, as well as services for new-born babies, radiology patients and those in need of hospital care in the south-east.

Health Minister Micheál Martin was on a whistle-stop tour of Kilkenny and Carlow yesterday, where he opened a number of facilities, primarily at St Luke’s Hospital and Kilcreene Hospital, Kilkenny. The projects have been implemented at a cost of more than €11.5 million and include an acute psychiatric unit, special care baby unit, screening room for radiology and a 26 bed, pre-discharge unit for patients.

Mr Martin said much planning and hard work had gone into each of the developments and the results for patients and members of staff were enormous. The South Eastern Health Board is continuing with its plans to further develop the hospital to include a palliative day care centre; a new accident and emergency department and the development of a community hospital along with other refurbishments and developments.

Among the most ambitious projects undertaken by the South Eastern Health Board was the development of the new psychiatric unit.