hospital
College Street,
Ballyshannon,
Co Donegal.
The Sheil Hospital in Ballyshannon has served the people of South Donegal and parts of North Sligo and North Leitrim for over a hundred years, from its early days as an acute Hospital dealing with all kinds of surgery and emergencies to today's function as a District Hospital. It was endowed under the terms of the will of Dr Simon Sheil (Jnr.) who lived and worked as a doctor in the town of Ballyshannon until his death in 1889. The foundation stone for the Sheil Hospital was blessed by the Most Rev. Dr Logue, Primate of All Ireland and was laid by Miss Henrietta Shiel, sister and last surviving member of his family. Since then it has formed an integral part of the local community with surgeons including Dr James Gordon, Dr Patrick Daly, Dr John Browne, Dr AWP Sutherland and Dr Joe Hanley performing all sorts of heroic operations and procedures. The Sisters of Mercy have long had an involvement in the Hospital and indeed until the appointment of the first lay Matron in 1991, the Matron was always a Sister, the last being Sr Jarleth. The Sheil Hospital was perhaps best known for its Maternity facilities until they closed in 1986. In 1972, a large extension was opened at the Hospital by then Minister for Labour and Social Welfare Mr Joseph Brennan T.D. In addition a new laundry was built with funds subscribed by friends of the Hospital. It remained a private Hospital until 1974 when it was taken over by the North Western Health Board. A new Palliative Care Unit was opened in 1994 by Sr Jarleth, former Matron. Sheil Hospital has 51 beds, including a 16 bedded acute assessment unit, 2 palliative care beds, and 30-34 long stay beds for high dependency patients will multiple illnesses, young MS patients and two respite beds. Access to the Hospital is by GP referral, Sligo General Hospital, Day Hospital, Community Public Health Nurse or other Hospitals for Convalescence.
HOSPITAL SERVICES:
Long Stay Care, Short Stay Care, Respite Care, Palliative Care, Casualty for Minor Injuries, Physiotherapist, Visiting Occupational Therapist, Activities Nurse, Chiropody twice monthly, Pharmacy delivered from Sligo General twice a week, Blood Clinic twice weekly, X-ray Monday to Friday, Day Hospital Monday to Friday catering for Social, Hygiene, Medical, Dressings and other services required.
