Works to resume on extension and upgrade of Limerick hospital

THE SECOND phase of works on an extension of the neonatal unit at University Maternity Hospital Limerick (UMHL) will get underway this Tuesday.

While construction will continue for around 12 months, no interruption to patient services is expected.

The second phase of the project includes the upgrade of the existing Intensive Care and High Dependency Units while a new area for the Special Care Unit is also being provided as well as additional single en suite family rooms.

"This upgrading and refurbishment will expand the physical space and greatly improve the facilities and infrastructure for babies and their families. It will also help to avoid crowding and reduce the chances of infection outbreaks," said a spokesperson for the UL Hospitals Group.

This works follow on from phase one which was completed last year and involved building a two-storey extension of parents' accommodation, a new lactation centre to support breastfeeding, a clinical engineering unit, as well as support facilities for neonatal nurses, doctors, health professionals and secretarial teams.

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Professor Roy K. Philip, Consultant Neonatologist of UL Hospitals Group, said: “The second phase of our Neonatal Unit refurbishment project will offer internationally recommended evidence-based design and family-centred care facilities to the vulnerable newborn infants of the Midwest, and their families.”

The neonatal unit is situated on the ground floor of UMHL and is a 19-cot unit, where critically ill, premature and unwell newborn infants are cared for. It also functions as a referral centre for newborn babies from outside of the Mid-West region.

Among the more common reasons babies are admitted to the unit are prematurity, breathing problems needing respiratory support, neonatal jaundice and feeding issues.

Eileen Ronan, Director of Midwifery at UMHL, said: “We welcome the refurbishment of our Neonatal Unit, which will enhance the facilities and infrastructure for our neonates who require specialised care. 

“The refurbishment project will also provide facilities for multidisciplinary teams working in the neonatal unit.”

This two-phase neonatal refurbishment project is one of a number of initiatives being undertaken to improve services at UMHL, pending the relocation of the maternity hospital from its stand-alone city centre site on the Ennis Road to the University Hospital Limerick (UHL) campus in Dooradoyle.

The Neonatal Unit is a secure area and any changes in access during the course of the project will be communicated directly to families. Construction works will be carried out on a phased basis to ensure no reduction in current service levels.