HSE denies adding extra Cavan site

A spokesperson for the HSE has denied that the organisation has secured a lease agreement on yet another vacant Cavan Town centre site.

“I can confirm that the HSE are not negotiating on any further premises in Cavan at this time,” said the spokesperson, after a question was asked by the Celt about the prospect of the health provider snapping up a vacant retail property on Main Street just doors down from where they already have a 10-year agreement with local developer Labelbrook for the former Melbourne Bakery site.

The deal there is similar in length to the one secured in respect of the former Jackson’s Garage, which now serves as the new Women & Children’s Service Outpatients Department (OPD) attached to Cavan General Hospital.

Towards the end of last year the HSE completed the purchase of the former Liberty Insurance building on the Dublin Road outside Cavan Town for use as an administrative hub. The building was purchased off-market for around €2 million.

In 2023 staff in several HSE divisions including Primary Care, Mental Health Services and Services for Older Persons, including Home Support, moved to new rented offices behind Blackstone Motors on the Dublin Road.

Meanwhile, progress is ongoing with regards to a major five-storey extension to Cavan General Hospital.

The 7,588 sq m development comprises of an Emergency Department and Endoscopy Unit at ground floor level, with inpatient ward accommodation spread across the first, second and third floors.

A new endoscopy unit will include three procedure and two recovery rooms. Meanwhile, the relocated and enhanced ED will contain two resuscitation bays, 10 major injury treatment bays, six minor injury treatment bays, as well as three paediatric and three isolation rooms.

Separately, plans are being progressed for a new Oncology Unit at Cavan General - included in the HSE’s Capital Plan for 2023.

This involves a new three-storey block built on the northern side of the existing front hospital entrance, as well as upgrades to the existing pharmacy and provision of a new Aseptic Unit.

It will require the relocation of the current physio department to allow the space become a new eight-patient day ward/post theatre recovery area.

The hospital still also has plans to build a new 30 bed Acute Assessment Mental Health Unit to replace the existing 25-bed at Cavan General.