HSE says it has a second plan for dialysis unit

THE HSE has confirmed that there is a back-up plan for the provision of a kidney dialysis unit in Wexford if Fresenius Medical Care Ireland loses its planning appeal to an Bord Pleanála.

The health authority has revealed that it is is progressing a second tender for a unit in Wexford while Fresenius which was awarded the contract is awaiting the outcome of a planning appeal to An Bord Pleanála. Fresenius was refused planning permission by Wexford County Council last August for change of use to facilitate a renal dialysis centre in the old Acorn Fashions building in Whitemill Industrial Estate.

The company lodged an appeal at the beginning of September and a decision is due to be made by the appeals board by January 11. However, there was surprise in mid-November when B Braun, the runner-up in the tender process lodged a separate planning application with the Council for a 757 square metre single storey dialysis unit at Sinnotstown Lane in Drinagh.

Now the HSE has confirmed that it is supporting an alternative tender in tandem with the Fresenius process.

‘Having fully considered this matter and the options available, it is agreed by Procurement Evaluation Group, and on foot of legal advice received, to progress a supplementary tender which can be cancelled in the event of a successful appeal, the outcome of which will be known by year end. This supplementary tender is currently progressing,’ the authority revealed in a statement issued on its behalf, in response to press queries.

The HSE pointed out that ‘ the supplementary tender is a separate tender process for the provision of dialysis in Wexford. It is running in parallel with the current planning appeal and is designed to expedite a dialysis solution bearing in mind the current difficulties.’

‘Should the Fresenius appeal be successful then this supplementary process will terminate. Should the appeal not be successful then the process continues to competition and solution.’

‘It would be remiss of the South South West Hospital Group in these circumstances to confirm of comment on any issue to do with any potential provider,’ the statement added. The HSE said Fresenius Medical Care was awarded the contract for a Satellite Haemodialysis Unit in Wexford in September 2015 and it was notified by the company in August this year that Wexford County Council had refused its application for planning.