Progress on mental health unit in Waterford welcomed

The confirmation that funding has been allocated to progress the new Acute Mental Health Unit at University Hospital Waterford, through the design feasibility stage, has been welcomed in the county.

Commenting on the matter, Sinn Fein TDs, Deputies Conor McGuinness and David Cullinane, also welcomed the news that a location for the unit was identified and agreed upon.

They also welcomed the inclusion of the project as one of the priority mental health capital projects in the HSE Capital Plan for 2026.

However, they also said greater urgency is needed to move the development through the remaining capital funding stages and towards delivery.

In welcoming the fact funding was allocated Deputy Cullinane said it was a very positive development: "It is also very positive that a location for the unit has now been identified and agreed, as that has been a key issue in getting the project to this point. It is important too that this development has been designated as one of the priority capital projects in the HSE Capital Plan for 2026. That reflects the scale of need in the South East and the clear case for modern, fit-for-purpose acute mental health facilities at UHW."

He also expressed cross-party praise for another Waterford TD, Fianna Fáil's, Minister Mary Butler, commenting: "I want to acknowledge the work done by Mary Butler, as Minister of State for Mental Health, in helping to progress this project. Her engagement on the issue has been important and is reflected in the movement we are now seeing."

“However, while this progress is welcome, there must now be real urgency about what happens next," he said.

"People will rightly want to know what the timeline is for the next stages, how quickly the project can move through the capital approvals process, and when construction and delivery can be expected," he added. Deputy Cullinane said that "for too long", mental health infrastructure in the South East has lagged behind what patients, families and staff need and deserve. 

"Now that the project has priority status and the feasibility stage is being funded, the focus must be on keeping momentum behind it and making sure there are no unnecessary delays in moving through the various capital funding stages," he said.

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Deputy McGuinness also welcomed the progress on the matter and described it as "very encouraging".

“This is an important project for Waterford and for the wider South East region," he said.

"People need to see investment in mental health services matched by investment in the buildings and facilities required to deliver safe, dignified and effective care," he added. 

Deputy McGuinness went on to comment: “At the same time, it is vital that urgency now underpins every next step. We need clear timeframes, we need the project advanced through the different capital stages as quickly as possible, and we need a firm commitment to delivery."

“This development has been discussed for a long time, and while it is right to welcome the progress that has been made, we also need to be honest that there can be no loss of momentum from here," he said.

"The priority now must be to drive this project forward and ensure the new unit is delivered as quickly as possible," he added.