Hospital group anxiously awaits completion of tender process
Anxiety surrounding the planned extension for Fermoy Community Hospital is increasing as it is understood Fermoy is the last of three hospital groups, who collectively applied for developments some years ago, yet to be confirmed a tender.
It is understood that both Millstreet and Kanturk hospitals have had tenders granted for developments, both of whom applied for new works alongside Fermoy Community Hospital.
The Fermoy Community Hospital Fundraising Committee has now written to the HSE enquiring as to when a tender for the works will be confirmed and now await a response on the matter.
Tadhg O’Donovan of the Fundraising Committee, said that he was led to believe that confirmation of the tender was ‘imminent’ as “everything else had been simultaneous across the three”.
“We are looking for confirmation as to when the tender will be confirmed. The need for this extension is imperative as the vast majority of works are works that were recommended by HIQA.
“We need to start this work as early as possible. We are looking for the tender to be confirmed, as when that is confirmed, it gives us an indication that work will start soon,” Tadhg informed The Avondhu.
The project, which received planning permission in the Summer of 2019, includes the construction of a new single-storey extension to the existing Sonas Ward, an extension to the Dochas Ward and an extension to the current kitchen area at Fermoy Community Hospital.
Through the development, 8 new single bedrooms, a treatment room, a nurses station, additional storage, staff changing facilities and a delivery office as well as numerous other upgrades to various areas in the building and on the grounds would also be completed.
After planning permission was confirmed, it is understood that construction work was to commence shortly thereafter, however, the development was only put to tender in March, as confirmed by the HSE.
An article published in The Avondhu that same month also noted that a spokesperson for the HSE had confirmed that the tendering process for the project was due to be completed ‘ very shortly (i.e. this month)’ with works to begin ‘as soon as possible’.
However, with reports that both Millstreet and Kanturk hospitals have been granted tenders, Fermoy is still awaiting news of a tender for much needed works.
“We were always of the opinion that the three hospitals would be done as a collective and this has been talked about for a number of years now. It’s not as if it doesn’t need to be done. We are conscious of what HIQA is saying, and they have recommended these works,” Mr O’Donovan added.
APPOINTMENT ‘IN THE COMING WEEKS’
A spokesperson for the HSE confirmed to The Avondhu as we were going to print late on Wednesday afternoon, that tender returns are currently being assessed.
“The tender for Fermoy Community Hospital improvements works was issued to pre-qualified contractors at the end of January 2021 with the tenders returned in mid-March 2021. The tender returns are currently being assessed with the aim being to appoint a contractor on completion of the tender assessment process, and prerequisite standstill period, in the coming weeks,” the spokesperson added.