Further details revealed about new Injury Unit in Ballina

A new HSE Injury Unit in Ballina could see between 8,000 and 10,000 presentations a year, with people travelling from both Mayo and Sligo to avail of services, according to the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

The new unit will be co-located on the site of Ballina District Hospital and approval to recruit the workforce to deliver this service has been granted by the HSE at national level. The facility will treat minor, non-life-threatening injuries such as broken bones, sprains, dislocations, minor burns, and cuts. The service will be delivered by consultants, radiographers and specialist nursing staff and will operate seven days per week. The injury unit team will provide treatment such as x-rays, plaster casts, and wound care at the North Mayo location.

Minister Carroll MacNeill was in Ballina last Monday week, November 17th, where she announced approval for the recruitment of 25 staff for the new facility. 

"I expect it to be an important support to the healthcare needs of people in Mayo and Sligo," she remarked. "I understand there are around 45,000 Emergency Department presentations to Mayo University Hospital every year. 

"Based on the experience in regard to the Roscommon Injury Unit - and I hear a lot of people from Mayo go to it for treatment - I would expect the new unit in Ballina to see between 8,000 to 10,000 presentations per year and I have asked our HSE regional director Tony Canavan to have it up and running as soon as possible in early 2026.” 

Mary Warde, HSE Integrated Healthcare Manager for Mayo, said the unit would serve to reduce pressure on Mayo University Hospital's Emergency Department as well as improving patient outcomes. 

"We are now prioritising the recruitment of staff who will roll out this important service expansion in the region. Some upgrade works will be required to the existing accommodation in Ballina and tendering for contractors will commence in the coming weeks," Ms Warde explained.