No decision made on children's hospital site
The site for a new National Children’s Hospital will be chosen objectively by an expert task force, health service bosses said tonight.
After criticism some hospitals may be favoured over others, the Health Service Executive (HSE) said the outcome had not been predetermined.
John O’Brien, director of the National Hospitals Office and chairman of the joint task group, said: “Any suggestion that this group has prejudged anything is completely misplaced.
“Our fundamental consideration is what is best for the children of Ireland and not what is deemed best for individual institutions.”
Children’s Health First, an independent study of international best practice in specialised and general hospital-based paediatric services was published in February and a joint HSE and Health Department task group was set-up to aid in the choosing of a new site.
The HSE said the ultimate outcome may even include a decision to locate the National Children’s Hospital somewhere other than on an existing hospital site.
The blueprint, Children’s Health First stated Ireland, based on its population size, could only support one world class tertiary centre.
The experts found the centre should be located in Dublin, close to a leading adult academic hospital with space for future expansion and must be easily accessible through the public transport and road network.
As well as seeking information from the major teaching hospitals in Dublin to establish their suitability, the task group has sought information from Dublin City and County Councils, the Office of Public Works and children’s interest groups to inform the decision making process.
The group will also be considering the governance arrangements which will need to be put in place for the development.
