Game-changing announcement for Mayo healthcare welcomed

Local Fianna Fáil Minister Dara Calleary has warmly welcomed today’s announcement by his party colleague and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly as part of Budget 2025 that funding has been allocated for the development of a minor injuries unit at Ballina District Hospital.

The new facility is set to provide care for patients with minor injuries such as broken bones, sprains, burns, wounds and minor head injuries, significantly easing the burden on the emergency departments (ED) in both Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar, and Sligo University Hospital.

Minister Calleary, a native of Ballina, stated: “The establishment of a minor injuries unit at Ballina District Hospital will transform access to care for patients with non-life-threatening injuries. This facility will allow north Mayo and west Sligo residents to receive quicker, high-quality treatment closer to home, without having to travel to Castlebar or Sligo.

“The new unit will complement the existing general practice services in the locality, offering an additional referral pathway for GPs.

“Our local GPs are already doing an outstanding job providing comprehensive care to the community. With the addition of this minor injuries unit, they will have another avenue to ensure their patients are seen quickly for injuries that don’t require emergency treatment but still need timely medical attention.

“This will help to free up ED services in Castlebar and Sligo for more serious cases and reduce the significant strain on both hospitals.”

Minister Calleary concluded: “This investment reflects Fianna Fáil's commitment in government to improving health services in our area. This is part of the multimillion-euro redevelopment of Ballina District Hospital, which is currently at design stage. I have worked very hard with Minister Donnelly to get it to this point, and I won’t stop until this facility becomes operational.”