Construction of new €6M hospice to begin – Minister
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A presentation of funds to St Christopher’s Hospice last Friday night in the Hotel Kilmore by organisers of the annual Gallant Challenge. From left: Dawn Graham, Maura Dunne, Kevin O’Reilly, John Gorman, Ciaran and Tamsin Weir, Paddy Grogan, Jim Lawlor, Majella Brady and Howard McCollum (Committee). More photos, next week. PHOTO: LEANNE COYLEImage 2 of 2
Minister Stephen Donnelly at St Christopher’s Hospice in October 2021 when the expansion of facilities was announced. Adrian Donohoe Photography. 086 3716199The construction project for the redevelopment of St Christopher’s Hospice in Cavan could start as early before the end of March.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly was given the update by the HSE in respect of the project.
In reply to a parliamentary question, tabled by Louth Fine Gael TD, Fergus O'Dowd, Minister Donnelly said: “I have been informed by the HSE that the design of the hospice has been agreed by the architects, trustees and HSE personnel (Estates, National Representatives and Service providers).”
Full planning permission was granted for the project by Cavan County Council for the new hospice, which will provide 16 new state-of-the art specialist hospice bedrooms and a major refurbishment to clinical, patient, family and communal areas. It will also include redeveloping and landscaping of the outdoor space and gardens.
The extension and redevelopment is expected to cost in the region of €6 million to deliver, and each new patient room will have all the latest technologies giving patients full control of their environment.
All patient rooms will also have access to a personal patio overlooking the landscaped gardens.
Minister Donnelly, who was answering a question on the government's commitment to increase the number of specialist palliative care beds countrywide over the five years, said in respect of St Christopher’s: “Following the tendering process and selection of successful builders, it is anticipated that construction would commence in Q1 of 2024.
Capital funding of four million euro has been successfully secured in the first instance to enable this project.”
Earlier in his response, he said that €10 million in once-off funding was paid out to support a number of voluntary organisations including members of the voluntary hospice group and national organisations involved in end-of-life and bereavement care in 2021. Of that figure, €3M was allocated to progress plans for three new hospices in the Midlands, Drogheda and Cavan.
The provision of €1M for each was to be used for the development of architectural plans, the planning application processes and to commence early ground works.