New national children’s hospital to take first patients in 2019 – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

New national children’s hospital to take first patients in 2019




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The development board for the new National Children’s Hospital has confirmed that the hospital will take its first patients by the second quarter of 2019.

The proposed new hospital will be built on the St James’s Hospital site in Dublin 8. The project will be designed by International architects BDP is expected be approved by next summer. The current aim is to secure planning permission by December 2015 and for building work to start in early 2016. The board is hopeful of taking patients by the summer of 2019.

Its thought that around 2,300 staff will work at the new hospital, which will have nearly 390 beds for patients. Chairman of the board Tom Costello has said that work has to be done on access and car parking for the new hospital. He also said that families with sick children and staff will be guaranteed parking at the new hospital. Booking of spaces in advance will also be provided for, with around 1,000 spaces set to be available at the hospital.

Minister for Health Leo Varadkar welcomed the new, he told reporters: “the decision about the location for the new hospital has been made”. He also said that while he cannot presume the view of An Bord Pleanála, he believed that planning permission will be granted, as there have been extensive consultations with the body. The St James’s site was chosen in November 2012 after initial plans for the Mater Hospital were rejected.

Building on new the National Children’s Hospital is understood to begin in January 2016

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