Parts of St Brigid’s campus to go to market later this year

The historic buildings of the St Brigid’s Hospital campus cannot be allowed to further deteriorate, the HSE has been told.

Cllrs Dr Evelyn Francis Parsons, Alan Harney, and Valerie Duffy all sought an update on the long running issue at a recent Health Forum meeting.

The meeting heard from integrated health area manager for Galway Roscommon Ann Cosgrove that it was the HSE’s intention to bring the surplus to requirement lands to market later this year and that the appointment of an estate agent was in progress.

In response the HSE said it has on-going positive engagement with Galway County Council and the Heritage Department regarding the St Bridget’s campus.

Substantial tidy up works have been carried out, it added, including scrub removal, cleaning-up the grounds, closing of window openings, securing of property perimeters etc. Asbestos surveys have also been completed and reports are awaited.

“Spatial planning is currently being undertaken to inform the decision on the extent of the lands to be retained to support future healthcare developments required for the area. The HSE will not be retaining the old church,” it said.

“It is the intention of the HSE to dispose of all lands and buildings surplus to HSE requirements on the open market. In accordance with HSE Property Protocol, all surplus buildings and land have previously been offered to relevant stakeholders. This offer included the old church. No expressions of interest were received for the main psychiatric hospital campus. A map of the proposed disposal lands will be made available at the appropriate time.” Cllr Parsons welcomed the stabilisation and safety works on part of the campus.

“But the response doesn’t give any clear time line to when it is going to come to market or be developed,” she said. She asked that given the scale and importance of the site, had the HSE considered developing a comprehensive regeneration plan, rather than progressing with "a piece-meal disposal”.

She said she has advocated for the St Brigid’s nurses’ home to be used as a domestic violence refuge or step-down facility, “which is badly needed”.

Cllr Harney also welcomed the works that have been carried out.

“I do think it is really urgent that we see works on those roofs. They need to happen without delay. The roofs are deteriorating by the week,” he said.

Integrated health area manager for Galway Roscommon, Ann Cosgrove said that special input was required for the roof repairs, which HSE Estates was working on. She also said that specialist surveys, including asbestos surveys, had to be carried out, and that these had been completed.

She said that the HSE was engaging with the county council and a plan was being carried out to ensure the land needed for future developments would be retained, such as for the integrated care hub.

“We are not intending to repurpose the older buildings,” she said. “That would not be within the HSE Estates’ capital budget because of the nature of those buildings. It is more likely that we will be developing purpose built facilities for the delivery of healthcare.”