The contract was signed at the South Eastern Health Board Head Office last Thursday (9^th May 2002) for the first phase of development works at Our Lady’s Hospital, Cashel, which is valued at over €8 million. 

Approval was received from the Department of Health and Children on the 19^th April 2002 for the project to proceed.

Work will commence within the next few weeks and is expected to take approximately 16 months. The main contractors are PJ Walls Limited, Dublin. The new buildings will be carried out in a sequence that maintains the existing hospital services.

The Phase 1 development will consist of:

• A 20 bed unit for elderly mentally infirm people and people with Alzheimer’s Disease
• A 25 place day care centre for people with physical disabilities
• Independent living units and respite places for the physically disabled (12 places)
• A Day Hospital  and day care centre for Mental Health Care services
• A 12 place supervised accommodation for Mental Health Care services
• Mental Health Care Services sector headquarters for the Cashel area.

Phase 2 of the development will result in the existing three-storey hospital being upgraded and refurbished and the construction of a new extension to the main building.

Speaking at the signing of the contract, John Magner, Acting Chief  Executive Officer, South Eastern Health Board, said it was an important day for South Tipperary: “This development will improve existing services for the people of South Tipperary. Phase One will particularly target services for the elderly, people with physical disabilities and mental health services. We look forward, in time, to the approval to proceed with Phase 2 of the project, which will result in developments in geriatric rehabilitation, GP assessment and rehabilitation, palliative care, radiology, pharmacy, reception, administration and waiting areas. The new extension to the main building will include a new hospital for the elderly and day care centre, new 15 bed convalescent unit and new outpatient department,” he said.

Mr. Magner acknowledged the input of everyone involved in making the project a success: “I particularly wish to thank all local hospital management and staff for their ongoing support, especially the Project Manager, Eamonn Lonergan,” he added.