Former Cork hurling All-Star Kevin Hennessey has said he already feels at home in the recently opened community nursing unit at the Midleton Community Hospital.
The 50-bed facility was officially opened last Friday by Minister of State for Older People and Housing Kieran O’Donnell.
Delivered through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), it replaces older buildings on the site, providing both short and long-stay accommodation and represents a significant investment in healthcare infrastructure for the Midleton area and surrounding communities.
The new facility is made up of two 25-bed ‘households’ with a mix of single and twin en-suite bedrooms, alongside day rooms, dining areas, activity spaces, landscaped outdoor areas and specialist therapy facilities.
It also incorporated dedicated physiotherapy and occupational therapy rooms, clinical treatment rooms, a family overnight stay room, and a hairdressing salon.
The new unit welcomed its first residents in July, and supported residents of Marymount older person’s service with temporary accommodation during capital works underway at the Curraheen facility
Mr Hennessy is settling in well and already feels at home in his new surroundings.
“I was very excited to move into this incredible new building. Everything is bright, welcoming and designed with residents in mind.
“I even made sure the nurses brought the Cork flag along too, as a little piece of home.
“The communal day rooms are wonderful spaces where we can come together, have a chat, relax and watch a match or two,” he said.
“The staff have been very supportive throughout the move, and everyone has made us feel very welcome. It already feels like home.”
Grace Tabuno, the facility’s director of nursing, said: “The residents of Midleton Community Nursing Unit are at the centre of everything we do every day.
“We are delighted to be providing excellent care in this fantastic new setting, and the feedback from residents and their families so far has been very positive.
“This new building supports our hardworking team to provide high-quality, person-centred care in a warm, comfortable and supportive environment,” said Ms Tabuno
“Our goal is to ensure every resident feels respected, valued and at home while continuing to enjoy the routines, relationships and activities that matter most to them.”
Mr O’Donnell said the new unit will: “Provide residents with access to high-quality care that supports dignity, independence and wellbeing in a place they can call home.”