The Minister for Health has confirmed that construction works on the upgrade of the Midleton Community Hospital are expected to begin in the last quarter of this year and be completed in 2024, according to Cork East Fine Gael TD, David Stanton.
The proposed project is one of seven Community Nursing Units (CNU) to be developed by a public private partnership (PPP) initiative under the Capital Programme for Older Persons Residential Centres and will see the construction of a two-storey community nursing and residential care unit at Midleton Community Hospital.
Responding to a Parliamentary Question from Deputy Stanton on the status of the project, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, confirmed “The Public Private Partnership procurement process is in progress. It is anticipated that the construction of the new Community Nursing Unit in Midleton will commence by quarter 4, 2022 and will be completed in 2024. Upon completion the project will provide 50 replacement beds”.
Speaking after the Minister’s response, David Stanton said: “I acknowledge the hard work of the Department of Health and the HSE in progressing the upgrade of Midleton Hospital despite delays in recent years. The Minister’s confirmation that construction works are earmarked to begin on site during the fourth quarter of this year represents a very welcome development in the process.
“The project once completed will provide significant bed capacity in addition to increased amenities for residents, enhanced visitor facilities and further accommodation and office space for hospital staff. Such enhancements will ensure the modernisation of a healthcare facility that remains of great importance to the town of Midleton and the wider East Cork area.
“I look forward to works commencing later this year and am hopeful that the various approval stages are successfully met to allow the facility to open as scheduled in 2024”, concluded David Stanton.