Construction of the new health and care centre in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh, is set to commence within weeks having received final sign off from the Health Minister.

It is anticipated that the new health and care centre will open in 2026.

Once operational, the new hub will support a network of 16 GPs and provide services to around 30,000 people in the Lisnaskea and surrounding East Fermanagh area.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “I was delighted to confirm with the Lisnaskea practice team this morning that the necessary approvals are now in place for the development of the new health and care centre. This means the Western Health and Social Care Trust will now be able to move ahead with awarding the construction contract, allowing work to begin on site within weeks.

“I appreciate that primary care services are under particular strain in the Lisnaskea and East Fermanagh area and recognise that people have been waiting for some time on this news. However, it was imperative that the necessary checks and balances were completed before proceeding.

“This significant investment will provide a central hub in Lisnaskea, enabling patients and service users to benefit from improved accessibility and increased multi-disciplinary provision in areas such as; Podiatry, Speech & Language Therapy, Physiotherapy, Mental Health Services and Older People services.

In his statement, Minister Nesbitt hit out at the "unacceptable behaviour" that the practice team have faced: “There are significant pressures across our health and social care system, and while our primary care teams are at the frontline in facing this challenge, I was incredibly disappointed to learn of the completely unacceptable behaviour that the Lisnaskea practice team have recently experienced. There is no place for such behaviour, and I reiterated my full support for the team when speaking to them today.

"As Health Minister I remain committed to investing in primary care infrastructure to support the transformation of health and social care and help improve services for the population of Northern Ireland.”

Eimear McCauley, Western Trust Director of Finance, Contracts and Capital Development added: “We welcome this project moving to construction as another step in providing an appropriate setting for the delivery of services in South East Fermanagh, both from opening of the new facility and for many years ahead. This milestone has been achieved through the collaborative working of GP representatives, Trust staff and DoH personnel with a focus on meeting the needs of patients and clients of Lisnaskea and the wider area.”

The Western Health and Social Care Trust will now move to award the new construction contract in the coming weeks. Planning permission for the facility has already been approved following the completion of the detailed design for the new building.

It is anticipated that the new health and care centre will open in 2026.

Ulster Unionist MLA Lord Elliott and Councillor Victor Warrington have jointly welcomed the announcement from the Department of Health that the new £34 million Lisnaskea Health and Care Centre will go ahead on the former Lisnaskea High School site.

Ulster Unionist MLA Lord Elliott said: “This is hugely welcome news, not only for the 14,000 patients in south east Fermanagh, but also for all the staff that are working in the existing inadequate Lisnaskea premises.  

“The UUP in Fermanagh previously brought the former Minister Robin Swann down to Lisnaskea and after that visit, where he met with the staff and saw the premises, I recall that it left him in no doubt of the necessity and importance of the development of the Health and Care Centre. Subsequently,  he approved the Outline Business Case.

“Over recent months however, as a result of challenges with the site, increased costs and ongoing budget constraints at Stormont, worryingly the project was facing an uncertain future. Yet throughout this time I have been regularly engaging with the current Minister Mike Nesbitt and his Department to emphasise the importance of the new-build going ahead."

 

Erne East Councillor Victor Warrington added:“The construction of the new health centre can’t come a day too soon. As one of its many patients, like everyone else in the area, there is no doubt in my mind as to the need for this project to proceed.

“The closure of the high school in Lisnaskea left a hole in the town, not only in terms of post-primary school provision, but also physically with a prime site lying dormant for far too long.   Thankfully, the land will soon be put to some benefit for the area once again."