The Health Minister has broken ground on the new 96 bed block at the region’s main hospital this afternoon.
Stephen Donnelly is describing the facility at University Hospital Limerick as a ‘significant’ and ‘much needed development’ for healthcare in the Midwest region.
The new 9,800 square metre block will be built over the existing Emergency Department and Dialysis Unit in Dooradoyle.
Around half of the beds will be new inpatient beds, while the remainder will replace outdated resources on site at UHL.
The project will cost €90 million, with John Sisk & Son designated as the appointed contractor for the works.
The UL Hospitals Group says it’ll allow ‘greater compliance with national guidelines and international best practice’ on infection prevention and control.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, who’s turned the sod on the project this lunchtime, says the development ‘underlines the Government’s commitment to modern, fit-for-purpose infrastructure’ across the health service.
CEO of the UL Hospitals Group, Professor Colette Cowan, says ‘demand continues to outstrip capacity’ at UHL and that increasing capacity is ‘fundamental’ to resolving the hospital’s overcrowding issues.
The works are estimated to take two years to complete.
