HSE Dublin and South East Media Release
24 October, 2025
A new walking route around St. John’s Community Hospital campus in Enniscorthy has been officially opened.
The pathway, which is centred on green areas on the southern side of the HSE’s campus on Munster Hill in the town, is the latest “healthy campus” initiative progressed at St. John’s.
HSE services located on the campus include Millbrook (disability services day centre), Tús Nua (mental health rehabilitation unit), Millview (mental health residential care), Havenview (intellectual disabilities care centre), An Tearman (mental health respite centre), Adult Disability and Children’s Disability Network Team facilities, the HSE’s Wexford Vaccination Centre, the HSE’s Health and Wellbeing service, the HSE’s Primary Care/Social Inclusion and Substance Misuse Team services, St. John’s Community Hospital, the Hubs for the Wexford Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons, the Wexford Memory Assessment and Support Service and St. John’s Day Centre for Older People.
The official opening of the walking route was carried out recently by Dr. Denise Rogers (Senior Clinical Psychologist, Child Disability Services). Denise chaired a group of HSE staff that began the healthy campus and creative garden project on site at St. John’s in 2020.
Working with the HSE’s Health and Wellbeing department, the group sourced funding for outdoor exercise equipment on the campus and then supported the funding application for a creative garden.
Featuring an amphitheatre styled central area, in addition to planting, hedgerows and seating, the garden was officially opened last month by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne T.D. The garden is a community facility, designed to enable everyone, regardless of age or mobility status, to enjoy the outdoors in a beautiful setting.
The walking route follows, as another health and wellbeing amenity on the HSE’s healthcare campus for its residents, staff and visitors.
Speaking at the official opening of the walking route, Derval Howley (Head of Service/Health and Wellbeing, HSE Dublin and South East) said:
“Outdoor community amenities are a vital support for physical and mental health and wellbeing, aligning with the goals of ‘Healthy Ireland’. In addition to having the Activity Garden, the HSE are delighted to also have the walking route at St. John’s. It enables patients, their companions or visitors and HSE staff on site here to enjoy some fresh air.”
“Congratulations to colleagues in the mental health services Mick Mahon and Tom Wall, along with others in the St. John’s Healthy Campus group and Area Director of Nursing for Mental Health Services Kasia Nolan for their ongoing work. The group receives outstanding support from colleagues across all disciplines and facilities on site.”
Tom Wall (Clinical Nurse Specialist in Mental Health and Intellectual Disability) added:
“The official opening of the walkway was preceded on the day by a Staff Fitness and Activation Day. It brought together staff from across the campus to participate in a range of physical activities. There are significant benefits of this event in promoting staff wellbeing, both physical and mental, particularly for those working directly in the care and support of service users on the campus.”
“In addition to thanking our own colleagues in the HSE’s grounds and maintenance staff, we’d also like to express our gratitude to the Men’s Shed for their invaluable contribution in designing and installing the signage for the walking route. We’d also like to acknowledge the Community Employment (CE) workers on the St. John’s campus for their outstanding efforts - not only in helping to maintain the activity garden, but also in assisting with keeping the wider campus grounds to such a high standard. Theirs and our own HSE staff’s work ensures that these outdoor spaces can be enjoyed by both staff and patients across all services.”
Last updated on: 24 / 10 / 2025
