Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has received approval from cabinet to proceed to tender for the construction of a new National Maternity Hospital on the grounds of St Vincent's University Hospital at Elm Park.

 

Once a successful bidder has been identified, the Minister will return to cabinet to seek approval for the signing of contracts and to enable the project to proceed to the main construction phase, according to the Department of Health.

 

Minister Donnelly has described the project as "the biggest and most important investment in women's healthcare in Ireland".

 

He said: "The quality of care delivered at the existing NMH at Holles Street is of the highest standard but is currently limited by infrastructural constraints. The new NMH is designed to be aligned with leading international standards which will result in improved patient and family experiences. Co-location of the NMH with St Vincent’s at Elm Park will enable greater and more direct access to a wide range of critical care and specialist medical services, reducing risk for both the mother and the newborn baby.”

 

Minister Donnelly also noted:

 

“This will not just be a replacement of the existing National Maternity Hospital but will offer almost 50% more in-patient and day case beds and provide additional capacity to manage national unmet need for women’s health services. The contemporary design of the new NMH provides flexibility to allow for the delivery of clinical services and to adapt to both expected and unforeseen change into the future.”