The Minister for Health announced that the new children's hospital, slated for completion in June 2025, will require a six-to-nine-month commissioning phase before it can fully open to patients. This means the hospital won't be fully operational until well into 2026. The Minister also explained the rationale for avoiding a move of patients during the winter months.
The Minister for Health confirmed that the new children's hospital, scheduled for completion in June 2025, will require a six-to-nine-month commissioning phase before fully opening to patients. This means the hospital won't be fully operational until well into 2026. The commissioning phase involves tasks such as installing surgical equipment, beds, laboratories, and training the 4,000 staff from three existing hospitals.
While some off-site work has commenced, much of the on-site preparation and staff training can only occur once access to the completed building is available. The Minister emphasized that moving children from Temple Street, Crumlin, and Tallaght hospitals to the new facility would be a complex logistical operation, requiring a seven-to-ten-day period. She highlighted the importance of avoiding this move during winter months due to increased patient load, staff absenteeism due to respiratory illnesses, and the heightened demand on ambulance services. International best practices support this stance, as other children's hospitals have opened in spring, summer, and autumn, but never during winter.Ms. Carroll-MacNeill also addressed concerns regarding the final cost of the project, stating that it is expected to be close to €2.24 billion. She clarified that the builder, BAM, has submitted claims totaling €853 million, but only €48 million has been approved to date. The Minister reassured the public that while BAM's claims have generated headlines and raised concerns, the actual amount of money disbursed is significantly lower than the total claimed. She emphasized the importance of providing context, noting that the €2.3 billion cost represents a one-time investment for a hospital that will serve for 100 years, compared to an annual health budget of nearly €24 billion
CAPITALIZED HEALTHCARE HOSPITAL COMMISSIONING CHILDREN's HOSPITAL IRELAND
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