HSE support for Limerick hospital extension

THE HSE are “supporting” St John’s proposal to develop a 150-bed extension on the grounds of the hospital, according to the Limerick hospital CEO Emer Martin.

St John’s plans to build a 150-bed extension to the back of the hospital was announced as part of their Strategic Development last year but the plans are currently subject to capital approval.

The expansion of St John’s does not have the go-ahead yet but the hospital are working to complete a strategic assessment report and have it ready to submit nationally to the HSE by the end of August.

“The launch of our strategic plan last year and announcing our proposal for a new bed block was very much about declaring our intention for St John’s and to put a message out there to the HSE as well that this is what we are proposing for healthcare in the region,” Ms Martin said.

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“We’ve had several meetings [with the HSE] in relation to our proposal for capital development and they are now guiding us in that process which is a strong indication that they are supporting our bid.

“We have to do the work ourselves in St John’s but they are giving us a good steer on what we need to do,” she added.

If the extension gets the green light it is expected to help the region in the longer term, according to Ms Martin.

Subject to capital approval a brand new bed block at St John’s is likely to take three years.

“The HSE and the Department of Health are trying to speed up on timelines, particularly in the Limerick region, and they would like to see new buildings being erected in two years instead of three,” Ms Martin said.

“This is about a long-term investment and is to take into account population growth in Limerick over the next two decades,” she added.