WORK ON LOURDES EXTENSION DONE
THE new multi-million euro Lourdes extension is expected to open to the public before Christmas.
It is understood that the project is nearing completition on the huge five storey extension which will add almost 9,000 square metres of much needed extra space to the hospital.
The €19m development, which has been overseen by GemElliott Construction from County Longford, includes an extension to the A&E Department as well as extra theatre space and 83 new beds.
The new building is adjacent to the existing emergency department block and it is believed that initially, one ward will be moved from the hospital to the new wing before additional wards are opened.
The new building will provide for an A&E extension on the ground floor, three ward floors to provide approximately 83 new single beds and an operating department of five operating theatres on the fourth floor.
There will only be a partial fit out initially, however, with two ward floors and part of the ground floor completed first.
In total, the new building will have a gross floor area of 8,940 square metres.
There is an area of alteration to the existing hospital of approximately 580 square metres.
The project involved the construction of a new shell and core building of five storeys at ground, first, second, third and fourth floors.
It also involved the partial fit-out of a number of floors, staircase access and lift core extension as well as new link corridors to access the existing hospital at the upper floors. The services are contained at roof level on the fifth floor.
Mechanical services provided include soils and waste, water services, air conditioning and ventilation, heating services with boiler room, building management system, natural gas installation, vacuum, oxygen and medical gas services.
A new generator for the hospital will also be added with upgraded power distribution, site lighting and fire protection installation, communication and security services and a fire fighting lift.
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital provides acute medical and surgical services as well as maternity services to the catchment area of Louth, Meath and the surrounding hinterland including parts of north county Dublin.
The main Emergency Department for Louth Meath Hospital Group is located at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.
It is supported by an Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU), which provides immediate and early specialist management of adult medical patients and by a Minor Injuries Unit in Louth County Hospital Dundalk and the Emergency Department in Our Lady’s Hospital Navan.