The Foundation has been in existence since 1993 and has funded palliative care services in community, hospitals and nursing homes to the people of Mayo and Roscommon, in partnership with the HSE since then.
The Foundation aims to build a Palliative Care Centre in each county and October 18th saw that dream realised in one of the two counties, with plans for the Roscommon Hospice at an advanced stage.
peaking today, Minister Harris said,
I am so pleased to be here to say thank you to the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, the staff of Mayo Roscommon Hospice, local & national HSE Representatives, and the local community.
The community has worked tirelessly for over two decades to get us to this point. As Minister for Health, I am so pleased I can support you and was so delighted to have secured the funding for this wonderful facility in Budget 2020.
For many this centre will become a home from home – a lifeline, which will enable people to live as normal a life as possible during a very precious period of time. It is therefore my great privilege to unveil this plaque and formally declare Mayo Hospice, Castlebar officially open.
Martina Jennings, CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation said
Today is a testament to the people of Mayo and Roscommon, this amazing 14 bedroom in patient unit, with daycare facilities has been desperately needed in the county and we are thrilled to have reached a milestone in delivering the €9.2 Million euro building on time and under budget.
We are so grateful to Minister Harris for including the Mayo Hospice in his budget for 2020. This means that the next stage can now begin, with the aim of admitting patients by spring of next year.
The Foundation has dedicated the Hospice to all the board members, volunteers and supporters of the Foundation. Simply put the Mayo Hospice epitomises what wonderful things can be achieved when people come together for the greater good. Nearly 1000 people have attended the event here today, and that is only a fraction of the people that made today a reality. This unit will provide dignity, love and care at end of life to all our patients and their families, something everyone deserves.
Joanne Hynes, Chairperson of Mayo Roscommon Foundation addressed the huge crowd and said:
Today I am honoured to be here, honoured to see this amazing dream come to fruition, this building will give light and compassion to those in their darkest moments and will become a home away from home for many families in years to come.
Boasting 14 specialist palliative care bedrooms, a day care department and family accommodation the state of the art unit was completed in 18 months and the project is loan free.