Tenders for hospital extension published

The new extension to Cavan General Hospital has moved a step closer as tenders have been published.

Planning permission for the major project was granted by Cavan County Council in May.

The 5236 sqm extension will include a new Emergency Department (ED), Endoscopy Unit (EU) and 16-bed ward, boosting the capacity of the hospital.

The current Emergency and Endoscopy departments were both described as “undersized”, while the EU is also dubbed “subpar” in standard. Regular announcements from hospital management urge people to avoid presenting to the ED due to capacity problems.

Its location is also considered “poor” in terms of access for patients and ambulances, leading to “traffic congestion” on site.

The HSE has now issued tenders for the construction of the three-storey extension. In the message, the organisation says the ED will be located on the building’s lower ground floor, with an endoscopy unit and link corridor to the existing hospital on ground level. The inpatient ward will be located on the first floor, with a plant room on roof level.

An upgrade of the electrical infrastructure of the existing hospital is also included in the plans.

Ancillary works, including the provision of a car park adjacent to the extension, are included. This car park will be made up of 44 car spaces, five motorbike spaces and a bicycle bay.

A separate carpark, comprising 150 car parking spaces, will also be built on the internal access road, close to the extension.

Cavan General Hospital has come under increasing pressure in recent years, particularly following the closure of the emergency department at Monaghan Hospital.

The HSE’s plans to downgrade Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan are expected to further increase pressure on the already constrained facility.

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