RTE's Claire Byrne, who is patron of Offaly Hospice, was pictured in February of this year with Offaly Hospice Directors Edward Delahunt, Liam Butler, Professor Humphrey O’Connor (Chairman), Barbara Doyle and Phyllis Howlin, CNS Laois Offaly Palliative Care Team, on the site of the proposed Midlands Hospice.

Massive €20m funding boost for new Midlands Hospice

Geraldine Grennan

Published: Tue 6 Sep 2022, 11:04 AM

Last updated: Tue 6 Sep 2022, 11:09 AM

The long campaign to provide a Midlands Hospice on a co-located site at Tullamore Hospital received a massive funding boost today (Tuesday) with the announcement of capital funding of €20 million by Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

The Midlands Hospice development, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, will make Tullamore a hub for the provision of specialist palliative care services across the Midlands, including day care, outpatient, inpatient and community services.

Once complete, the hospice will provide essential access to specialist palliative care inpatient services for patients and their families across the Midlands.

Announcing €20m of capital funding for the project, the Taoiseach said:

“I’m delighted to announce this significant milestone for palliative care in the Midlands.

“Our Programme for Government commits to developing a hospice providing essential access to specialist palliative inpatient care for people with life limiting illnesses, and their families.

“I’m aware of the enormous work and commitment that has been provided by voluntary hospice groups and colleagues in the HSE to progress this much needed service over the past 15 years, and the funding contributed to date.

“So, it is hugely welcome that €20m of additional capital funding by the Department of Health has now been approved by Government to further the development of this hospice in the next few years.”

The new development will be co-located on a site provided by the HSE at the Midland Regional Hospital.

The new 20-bed unit fulfils a Programme for Government commitment to have a hospice serving every region in the country.

Laois-Offaly TD Barry Cowen has warmly welcomed the Government decision to support a Midlands Hospice, and has spoken of his delight at the announcement.

"My brother and former Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, played an instrumental role in the provision of the Regional Hospital in Tullamore and it is my wish that I can be as instrumental in ensuring this facility becomes a reality" he said, adding that the provision of this facility had been "a key priority" of his for many years.

"Since Fianna Fail entered Government, I’ve worked with Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, HSE and hospice groups in the region to progress this project. It is important to acknowledge the critical and supportive role that various groups /organisations have played in the support of Palliative Care services in the Midlands throughout the years. The reality is that without them, people and families in need would not have got the support and care they needed they have funded buildings, staff and services. They have worked to develop, support and supplement the work of HSE services. In the Midlands" said Deputy Cowen.

He paid tribute to all the Hospice groups in the Midlands region and also the Hooves-4-Hospice, an all-Midlands Group established by the Lions Club in the area which organised fundraising specifically for the Midlands Hospice, and which Deputy Cowen described as being "innovative, and with tentacles of support all over Ireland."

He also paid tribute to the Irish Hospice Foundation and Offaly Hospice who had has actively advocated for services and supported the creation of a dedicated Hospice for the Midlands region.