Work on new €68m hospital is set to begin in Dún Laoghaire

WORK on the first phase of the long-awaited €68m hospital development at Rochestown Avenue, in Dún Laoghaire, is set to begin after contracts were signed recently.

The National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) held an information evening for all local stakeholders on Thursday, August 31 to inform the public about their plan to begin construction of the new €68m, 120-bed new hospital on the same site.

The hospital, which officially opened as the NRH in 1961, is the only national provider of complex, specialised rehabilitation services for adult and paediatric patients in Ireland.

The first phase is part of an overall plan that the NRH  is hoping to get approval for.

They are also currently seeking funding approval from the Department of Health for Phase Two which would see the refurbishment of the existing hospital building and connecting it with the new one.

If approved, this would increase the overall capacity of the NRH to 235 beds from its current 108 beds.

However, no decision on the funding for Phase Two has been made to date.

Fianna Fáil councillor, Cormac Devlin, said the redevelopment of the NRH has been on the cards for many years.

 "I am very pleased that after many false starts, the plan for the NRH is finally due to start in October,” he said.

“This new hospital will replace the existing building which dates back to the mid-1800's.

“As the new hospital will be located beside the existing one, I am calling on both Minister for Health, Simon Harris and the HSE to include Phase Two in their budget for 2018/2019.

“If they don't, the hospital will only be partly complete.

"This new facility will see a transformation of the much-needed services that assist patients from all over Ireland,” Cllr Devlin added.

“I am extremely proud to have a hospital of this a calibre in the Dún Laoghaire constituency.

“The staff carry out invaluable work and I commend them for being able do this in the existing building and for continuing to do so right up until the present day.

“I know that the staff, along with the patients and their families are really looking forward to the new facilities and services in which they will be able to continue to offer and operate this unique and skilled care and therapy.”

Phase One of the development will include a fit for purpose ward accommodation block (with 120 single ensuite rooms) with integrated therapy spaces, a new sports hall, a hydrotherapy unit, a temporary concourse as well as clinical and ancillary spaces.

In addition, links to the existing building will ensure full integration between the new development and the existing hospital on the site.

The project is unique in that it will be the first purpose-built rehabilitation facility to be built in Ireland.

All ward accommodation at the NRH will comprise new, purpose designed single ensuite bedrooms with integrated rehabilitation-specific treatment spaces.

“The redevelopment will enhance the environment for our patients and contribute towards achieving optimum outcomes from their rehabilitation programme,” the hospital said in a statement.

“It will enable staff to deliver services in a new and innovative environment designed specifically around patients’ needs.”