Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024
700. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health to clarify the difficulties he has identified with the independent scoring assessment conducted with respect to the new Offaly hospice; if he has engaged in consultation with any developers regarding the new Offaly hospice and if his Department has conducted any public consultation on the preferred site for the hospice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19119/24]
View answerThe development of a site at Tullamore is a named priority area for action in the HSE National Service Plan 2023, HSE Capital Plan 2023 and Three-Year Palliative Care Services Development Framework (2017 – 2019). A commitment was given as part of NSP 2024 to progress the development of plans for the new specialist palliative care inpatient unit at the Tullamore location. It is also a commitment in the Programme for Government.
As Minister, I am fully committed to the building of a new hospice in the Midlands. In September 2022, the government announced €20 million in capital funding for the development of a 20-bed specialist palliative care inpatient unit in the Midlands. The proposed new build 20 bed inpatient unit will have an all-single room configuration and offer access based on identified need for those who require specialist palliative care in an inpatient setting. Clinical care at this new facility will also be consultant led and delivered by a full multi-disciplinary specialist team.
I can confirm that a tender competition took place in 2023 to secure the services of a design team for this project. The design process is ongoing and three potential sites have been identified. I have met with the HSE, Design, Clinical, Estates and Management teams. In February of this year, I visited Tullamore and met with representatives from the Hospice Groups, and the HSE Clinical Team.
It is anticipated that a decision on the chosen site for the new Midlands Hospice will be announced shortly. The selected site will provide the best palliative care to the people of the Midlands.
My department will continue to progress developments for palliative care services in Ireland, working towards the highest possible quality of end-of-life care and support for people with life limiting illnesses across the country.
