A ‘new home from home’
Local advocacy group the Friends of Dean Maxwell has welcomed the announcement of site selection for a new 52-bed community nursing home in Roscrea.
Deputy Michael Lowry confirmed last week that a site adjacent to the existing Dean Maxwell Community Nursing Unit would be used to build a new home. The site was chosen following an assessment and shortlisting process.
With an estimated cost now in the region of €50 million, the new nursing home will more than double the bed capacity of the existing Dean Maxwell facility, which is to continue operating at full capacity until the new unit is built.
The new unit will comprise a combination of 40 long-stay and short-stay beds, a 10-bed dementia unit and two-bed palliative care unit.
Deputy Lowry said terms have been agreed on the new site purchase, with contracts exchanged between the vendor and HSE.
“As soon as the legals are finalised, the next step is for the HSE to appoint a design team and progress the detailed design, planning and delivery,” Deputy Lowry stated.
‘INJUSTICE OF PREVIOUS DECISIONS’
The move follows inclusion of the replacement nursing home in the HSE Capital Plan for 2026. This was warmly welcomed locally after years of concern that Roscrea would lose its nursing home over inability to comply with modern health standards, a move that could have resulted in local people having to go to other towns for nursing home care.
“This is brilliant news for Roscrea and its people,” Deputy Lowry said of the site selection for a new home. “It reverses the injustice of previous decisions and erases the hurt felt by the entire community of Roscrea.”
He said he was particularly pleased for Roscrea councillor Shane Lee and all who campaigned over the years for Dean Maxwell. “The community of Roscrea were united, strong and resilient. I am glad to be in a position to answer their call and progress this project,” Deputy Lowry said.
In their statement, the Friends of Dean Maxwell welcomed the identification of a site for a new community nursing home in Roscrea.
“The current Dean Maxwell, which has cared for the people of Roscrea and beyond for more than 50 years, had been facing the prospect of closure due to modern residential care building standard requirements.
“However, the campaign to save the Dean Maxwell has received tremendous support from across the whole community for many years. Roscrea people wanted to ensure that the legacy of care, kindness and attention - which is the hallmark of the staff, who are the beating heart of the Dean Maxwell - continued.”
“The welcome news is that the new 52-bed home will not only replace the existing number of beds at the Dean Maxwell but double it and will cater for an increasing population that we have in the town and surrounding areas.
“It means people won’t have to move to far-flung areas should they need nursing home support, that they can continue to live in the town, and that they can have family and friends visit with ease.
“We thank Deputy Lowry and Cllr Lee for their ongoing support and commitment to our common cause in making this announcement. We look forward to working with everyone involved to ensure that residents, families and staff can offer input into the design and development of what will be residents’ new home from home.
“In that way, we can ensure that the Dean Maxwell ethos continues to survive and thrive for many years to come.”