The Waterford Residential Care Centre was officially opened this morning by Waterford TD and Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler.
Construction of the €25.4 m Waterford Residential Care Centre project began in early 2018 on a site adjacent to St. Patrick’s Hospital and was completed last year. It features 100 single en-suite rooms, spread across four households – three of which now house residents of older persons services previously accommodated in St. Patrick’s.
The 20 bed Aidan’s unit at the Centre replaces a shared model for Psychiatry of Later Life residents previously provided at a building located on the grounds of the nearby St. Otteran’s Hospital. The St. Patrick’s Hospital building will be retained for rehabilitation services and the Waterford Integrated Care for Older People Services (WICOP) and Home Support Offices.
Minister Butler told WLR that the facility is among the best in the country.
"It's a 100-bed unit, all en-suite. It's absolutely fantastic. I just think it's the whole nature of St. Patrick's - it always played such an important role in Waterford healthcare. To see the combination of older people and mental health psychiatry of later life - which was an area that proved challenging, we are really now among the best in Ireland for that support."
Waterford TD and Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler cutting the ribbon.
The Fianna Fail TD acknowledged that projects can take a long time to deliver, but re-iterated that many exciting services are in the pipeline for Waterford.
"Things take a while but the most important thing for any project is to get it on the Capital Plan. Thankfully, we have the new 50-bed unit for mental health on the capital plan. We also have the new build for children with profound needs and disabilities - and the new build to replace the old Sacred Heart unit which will be in St. Otteran's. So we're at design and planning phase there, it's so important to push these projects on - and I will certainly be doing that."
One of the residents at the new facility, says she loves it. Phil Heenan, aged 92, is originally from Poleberry and moved from the Old St. Patrick's Hospital last April.
"I've never regretted a minute of being here. The nurses and staff could never do enough for you. The meals are regular, and I've never once sent back a full plate. Everyone is very friendly. It isn't a hospital and it isn't a home. Anything is on the telly - your birthday, they have the cake and all. I had my birthday last Saturday and they gave me a lovely cake - I was 92."
92-year-old Phil Heenan says she's never looked back since moving in five years ago.
Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. Joe Kelly, says it's a fantastic facility. He paid tribute to the Friends of Patrick and all those who stood outside the old hospital every Tuesday - keeping the pressure on to get the new facility built.
"When you think of the Tuesday protests that used to go on outside the gates of the old St. Patrick's - to keep pushing for this wing, showing that it was absolutely necessary, various governments were slow enough to put the money in. Eventually, we got here. I'd mention the likes of former councillor Davy Walsh, Tom Hogan, Johnny Cloono, Bobby Kennedy, myself on occasions - just keeping the campaign ticking over. I hope that played some part in the eventual funding and now this brilliant day of the opening of this wing. It's a truly fantastic facility for older people in Waterford."
Also speaking at the Official Opening, Ms. Kate Killeen White (Chief Officer, HSE/South East Community Healthcare) said:
“South East Community Healthcare (SECH) is pleased that a development which has been identified as an important element of care provision for older people in the region has been officially opened. Over the years, both St. Patrick’s Hospital and St. Otteran’s Hospital have had an excellent reputation as healthcare facilities. The last 18 months have been incredibly challenging and we in SECH are deeply appreciative of the support received from families of residents and the wider community, not only for the enormous challenges we have overcome with Covid but also for the momentous work involved in enabling us to open this service here in Waterford.”
“We are delighted for the residents and families involved that have relocated to the Unit. Our staff teams have worked incredibly hard to turn this vision into reality and to meet the regulations set by HIQA and the Mental Health Commission. This facility enables us to deliver an enhanced service in line with infection, prevention and control requirements – which is particularly important as we continue to operate in a Covid-19 environment. I cannot thank everyone enough in delivering on this significant achievement.”
Ms. Barbara Murphy (Head of Services for Older People HSE/South East Community Healthcare) said:
“I want to acknowledge the significant achievement of everyone involved for their hard work and commitment in progressing this project in a safe and timely manner. There is no doubt that the last 18 months have been incredibly difficult and challenging for all our staff, residents and their families and the sacrifices made have been enormous. I would like to acknowledge and thank staff for their tireless efforts and hard work in keeping people as safe as possible”.
Ms. Mary Veale (Director of Nursing, Waterford Residential Care Centre) said:
“We know our team here do an excellent job. This state of the art facility will allow them to go that much further for the residents/patients”.
Mr. David Heffernan (Head of Service/Mental Health for South East Community Healthcare) said:
“The new 20-bed Psychiatry of Later Life Unit at Waterford Residential Care Centre is a massive step forward for community mental health services in the Waterford area. People will be familiar with the outstanding care given by the Psychiatry of Later Life team to residents at the previous St. Aidan’s ward on the grounds of St. Otteran’s. In working to meet expectations set by the Mental Health Commission, it has been part of our plans to bring about an enhanced service for residents, their families and staff.”
