Planning bid for €12m extension of Portiuncula emergency department lodged
A planning application for a €12m extension of the emergency department at Portiuncula hospital has been lodged.
In a statement this morning, HSE West and North West confirmed itthe planning application for the Portiuncula University Hospital, Emergency Department extension had been lodged with Galway County Council.
The development will consist of a new 310m² single story extension to the existing emergency department, helping to create a more comfortable environment for patients and staff.
It is estimated the investment in Portiuncula University Hospital through this development will be in the region of €12 million.
The extension will provide nine new patient cubicles, including gynaecology treatment room and associated staff and clinical support facilities. The extension will link into the existing building by way of a new accessible reception, leading to a newly formed dedicated paediatric waiting area and toilet facilities. This will improve segregation of paediatrics in the department.
At the existing lower ground floor level, a new public entrance lobby with security room will be formed adjacent to a reconfigured ambulance drop-off and set-down area.
The existing emergency department will undergo a series of phased internal refurbishment works to provide additional patient treatment cubicles, a reconfigured storage and staff support facilities and modernised staff changing facilities.
The works will include a reconfiguration of the existing internal campus two-way traffic flow to become a one-way traffic flow in the vicinity of the Emergency Department extension, formation of a new accessible set-down area, reconfigured ambulance drop-off areas and works to form a new pedestrian crossing and improve accessibility and safety around the immediate site.
James Keane, General Manager Portiuncula University Hospital welcomed this next phase in the development. “This is a major development for the provision of healthcare for the people of East Galway, Westmeath, North Tipperary, Roscommon and Offaly. The extension to the Emergency Department will help to ensure the continued improvement in the delivery of this vital service. It is projected that it will accommodate nine additional treatment bays for patients, will improve the overall layout of the department and provided better access for all age groups using the service at the Emergency Department.”
If the planning application is successful then next steps will be to proceed to tender and appointment of a contractor for the construction of the building.