Latest designs for the new children’s hospital are shared

Significant Improvements in clinical outcomes for complex cases can be expected when all services are delivered under one roof

Opportunities to expand on clinical synergies with St. James’s Hospital and to strengthen research ties will enhance the overall care provided to children, young people and families

Dublin, June 25^th, The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) today shared the latest designs for the new children’s hospital with members of the Oireachtas and with residents in the local Dublin 8 community. These meetings build on the extensive engagement that has taken place in recent weeks with patient advocacy groups, existing children’s hospital staff, families and the national Youth Advisory Committee. The engagement sessions have helped to inform the latest designs that are being shared today.

Minister for Health Leo Varadkar said: “Today marks another important milestone in the development of our new children’s hospital which will be the largest single capital investment in health in the history of the State. The design team has done superb work on the new children’s hospital and recently we saw some exciting images of what it’s going to look like. The next step is the planning application, with building work expected to start on all sites in early 2016. The first children should be seen in 2017 at the satellite centres at Connolly and Tallaght. I’m delighted that the three hospitals are already working together to prepare for this major transition.”

Speaking today John Pollock, Project Director, NPHDB said, “As we enter the final weeks of the design phase, prior to the submission of the planning application to An Bord Pleanala, we are delighted to share the latest designs.  Extensive consultation and engagement has been undertaken and we have incorporated much of the input, feedback and guidance of a wide variety of groups and stakeholders as part of the design process.”

The new children’s hospital will see Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin and the National Children’s Hospital at Tallaght Hospital come together under ‘one roof’ in an exemplary facility on a campus shared with St. James’s Hospital and a maternity hospital.  The tri-location of the hospitals on the same campus will facilitate the transition of medical care at all stages of life, offering the best possible care for infants, mothers, children and young adults.

Speaking about the critical need for the new facility, Mona Baker, CEO, Temple Street Children’s University Hospital said: “While the staff at Temple Street strive to deliver quality of care, we are somewhat constrained by the space and facilities currently available to us on the Temple Street site. Once we transition to the modern facilities at the new children’s hospital, the overall experience of our children, young people, families and our staff will improve dramatically.”

Dr. Sean Walsh, Interim CEO, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, highlighted the opportunities that sharing a campus with St. James’s adult hospital and a maternity hospital will bring: “There will be exceptional opportunities on the campus to partner in the area of clinical research as well as to further develop existing clinical synergies.  Many areas of clinical care require joint consultant appointments across a paediatric and adult hospital – for example in areas such as Medical Oncology, Haematology, Advanced Diagnostics as well as Plastic Surgery & Burns. Creating a medical campus where care can transition at the appropriate stage of life for those with life-long conditions will have a profound impact on children, young people and their families and indeed will allow for the development of the speciality of Adolescent Medicine.”

David Slevin, CEO, Tallaght Hospital: “The completion of the new children’s hospital will enhance how acute children’s health services are delivered resulting in improved survival rates for the sickest children and young people. For the first time in Ireland all paediatric specialities will be ‘under one roof’. The development of the satellite centres at Tallaght and Connolly Hospital will also enable the delivery of general paediatrics and urgent care in the location that is closest to the child’s home. This is recognised as the optimal model of care for children.”

The Children’s Hospital Group is responsible for integrating the three children’s hospitals and the transition of services into the new organisation. Speaking today, Eílish Hardiman, CEO, Children’s Hospital Group said: “Hundreds of hours of meetings have led to the design that we are looking at today. The input and feedback from staff, young people, families, residents as well as our colleagues at St. James’s Hospital has been invaluable. We are getting closer to the delivery of a final design for a hospital and satellite centres of which the people of Ireland can all be very proud.”

Media Contact Details: 

Q4 Public Relations 01 475 1444

Angie Kinane (087 812 6249) / Ruth O’Byrnes (086 055 8331)

Note to Editors

Key Facts about the new children’s hospital (nch): 

• Seven storeys tall at its height with the majority of the building sitting at four storeys
• 380 single in-patient rooms including 93 day care beds
• A multi-level day-lit concourse connects the main entrance with the hospital’s other principal public entrance from the LUAS, a 2-minute walk away.
• On the west side of the concourse, overlooking the South Circular, the outpatient clusters are grouped within four wings arranged around three garden courtyards.
• Shops, cafes, restaurants and information points line the concourse
• Other family accommodation includes a 52-bed facility near the entrance.

Please see www.newchildrenshospital.ie