HSE responds to residents’ concerns over health centre 

Callum Lavery

RESIDENTS in a Northside area are growing increasingly worried about services available at their local health centre as possible renovation works are planned. 

Mary Fitzpatrick, a Fianna Fáil candidate in the general election in Dublin Central, is requesting confirmation from the Minister for Health Simon Harris that services will remain accessible to East Wall residents. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said locals are becoming concerned about the continued provision of services at their local health centre.

“There is very urgent need for refurbishment in the local health centre and despite it being regularly highlighted, the Government have pledged no commitment to carrying out the essential works,” she said. 

“The health of older people in East Wall is potentially being put in jeopardy and locals are growing increasingly fearful that the centre will be forced to tail back its services or close altogether. 

“The residents of East Wall deserve to have access to appropriate health services.

“If the Government is aiming to support older people (to) stay in their homes and actively participate in their community, then protecting the provision of services in the health centre is crucial.”

East Wall currently has a population of approximately 5,000 people with many of these being lifelong residents of the area. 

The East Wall centre was built circa 1950 and consists of three rooms and facilitates three nurses and one physiotherapist on a full time basis.

The remainder of the East Wall team is based at the North Strand Health Centre due to the small space available in East Wall. Some clients from East Wall are currently availing of services at North Strand. 

There was a recent incident at the East Wall centre where a resident with a disability was unable to access a disabled toilet and was therefore, transported to North Strand. 

In a statement, a spokesperson for the HSE told Northside People: “On foot of this, the HSE Estates Department were requested to inspect the building to assess the feasibility of installing a disabled access bathroom. 

“The building was inspected and a number of significant issues were identified which require detailed work and attention.

“These works include provision of disabled access, fire safety upgrade works and energy efficiency works. A full survey will be required to establish the total costs of the remedial works required.

“Any renovation and reconfiguration works would require vacant possession of the site for the duration of the works.”

The HSE said it is currently seeking means to provide care to residents if the East Wall centre goes under renovation. 

“The health and safety of both the clients accessing East Wall Health Centre and our staff is paramount and we are currently looking at all options to ensure that clients continue to have full access to services and appropriate facilities,” said the spokesperson. 

There may be an upside for residents, however, as East Wall is currently being considered for a longer term lease to provide care for years to come. 

“We understand that the East Wall area may be included in the next tranche of publicly advertised Primary Care Centres for Third Party Operation Lease (25 years),” added the HSE spokesperson.