Extension works commence at Fermoy Community Hospital
The arrival of a Portakabin and workmen wearing hard hats and hi-visibility vests at Fermoy Community Hospital this week was a welcome sight. A spokesperson for the HSE has confirmed to The Avond
that work at the hospital commenced
on Monday, June 28.
With major changes set to get underway at the Fermoy Community Hospital, a new Director of Nursing, Michelle Kiely, has also been appointed ahead of the commencement of works.
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.
It’s envisaged that the building works will take 15 months to complete, and will be undertaken in such a way as to minimise disruption to the hospital’s long-stay patients.
Works to the hospital were recommended by HIQA following a report in 2019 which stated that bedroom accommodation in one of the hospital’s three units “does not support the provision of privacy and dignity to residents”.
The HIQA report noted that, despite a commitment that planned works would be complete by July 2020, construction work that was due to commence in July 2019 had not been started.
“A condition is attached to the registration of the centre, based on commitments given by the provider, that the planned works would be completed by July 2020 and the centre would then be in compliance with regulations and standards. To meet that timeline, construction work was proposed to commence in July 2019,” the report said.
With the impact of Covid-19 on many sectors, including construction, developments at the hospital were delayed for some time, however this week, the HSE confirmed that works have now commenced.
Chairperson of the Fermoy Community Hospital Fundraising Committee, Tadhg O’Donovan, stated that he welcomes the fact that workers are now on site.
“The bottom line here is that we have been waiting a number of years for this and these are works that will bring the hospital into compliance with HIQA’s recommendations. I welcome these works as it will mean that the hospital will have a future going forward,” Mr O’Donovan said.