Charity calls for fast-tracking of children's hospital project
Designs for the national children's hospital must be passed on to planners immediately, a leading charity has said.
Children in Hospital Ireland welcomed backing from an international expert group for the facility to be built on the site of the Mater hospital in north Dublin.
But as questions remain over the project's funding, the charity's chief executive Mary O'Connor said there was a pressing need for the development to remain on track.
She added: "The development board must now progress the project to the next phase - submission of plans to An Bord Pleanála - without delay.
"Sick children and their families will benefit greatly from the new hospital."
Health Minister James Reilly will later today set out the experts' case for pushing ahead with the Mater site despite concerns over access and cost.
The hospital will feature 392 en-suite single rooms with beds for parents, up to 1,000 free car parking spaces and accommodation to support the families of children in long-term care.
Existing children's hospitals at Temple Street, Crumlin and Tallaght will be merged on the site, in Dublin's north inner city.
Ms O'Connor said she believed the findings of the international expert review group will allay concerns surrounding the suitability of the location.
But questions remain over the funding of the hospital, projected to cost around €650m.
Some €400m will come from the exchequer and €110m, or 17%, from fundraising and philanthropic sources.
Children in Hospital Ireland said there were several benefits to the proposed facility, including having all services under one roof.
"Children in Hospital Ireland is confident that the findings of the report will finally allay concerns on the suitability of the chosen location," Ms O'Connor said.
"It's now time for all parties to unite to ensure the new children's hospital will be the best in the world and will become a reality in the shortest possible time."
Dr Reilly said plans for the development will be submitted in a fortnight.
The report authors were unanimous in recommending the Mater in north inner city Dublin after detailed examination of the costs of providing the hospital on alternative sites.
Dr Reilly said the Government is carrying out a spending review for the plan.
"We have always supported the proposal to build a new children's hospital which will provide the very best services and treatments for the children of Ireland. I am now satisfied that the Mater site is the right location," he said.
"It is time for everyone to come together and deliver this children's hospital in the shortest possible time."
The Government will make a final decision on proceeding with the project, following the spending review, in September.
The review was carried out by Dr James Mandell, paediatric urologist and chief executive, Children's Hospital Boston; Dr James Shmerling, chief executive, Children's Hospital at Colorado; Professor Peter Steer, paediatrician and neonatologist and chief executive, Children's Health Services, Queensland, Australia; Dr Jane Collins, chief executive, Great Ormond Street; and John Cooper, an eminent architect with worldwide experience in the area of hospital design and construction and chair of Architects for Health.
