A public works contract has been awarded for the fit-out and completion of the new emergency department, together with the delivery of a new 24-bed dialysis unit at University Hospital Limerick. The total cost of both projects, which are expected to be completed in 18 months, is in the region of €25 million .
John Sisk & Son Holdings Ltd are the successful contractor for both these works following completion of the public procurement process and commenced setting up on site last week. The new emergency department will be located on the ground floor of both the critical care block and the adjacent extension and will be three times the size of the current ED space.
A new state-of-the-art new dialysis unit will be provided on the first floor of the extension block on the same floor level as the hospitals new intensive care unit. This new dialysis unit project is being supported by the Mid-Western Hospitals Development Trust, with support from the JP McManus Pro-Am Committee. It is expected to be operational within 12 months, with the emergency department taking longer due to the number of phases involved and the complexity of the associated works – including the new electrical switch room and the phased diversion of existing electrical services serving both the critical care block and the existing theatre and paediatric blocks at the hospital.
Colette Cowan, CEO, UL Hospitals Group, said, “We are delighted to have the builders setting up on site. Once delivered, it will mean a much improved patient experience in terms of access and their journey through the hospital. It will also mean more dignity and privacy for our patients, who when this is complete will be treated in pod-like facilities where they will get specialist care.
While acknowledging that the original target opening date of the end of 2016 for the ED may not be met, Ms Cowan said it was important to plan such a complex project properly.
She also paid tribute to the Mid-Western Hospitals Development Trust and to the JP McManus Charitable Foundation for their support of the new dialysis unit.
“There is a growing demand nationally for dialysis and this unit is a key requirement for us. What is being provided is a 24-bedded unit including four isolation rooms and five four station bays which will be state-of-the-art,” Ms Cowan said.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.