Sod Turned at €13.5M St Christopher’s Hospice redevelopment

This Specialist Palliative Care Unit will encompass a 16 bedded (single occupancy en-suite) inpatient unit

The sod has been turned and works will soon begin at the St Christopher’s Hospice redevelopment in Cavan Town

.The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris T.D. accompanied by Niamh Smyth T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, attended the event yesterday (Friday 2 May).

Speaking at the event the Tánaiste said: “I am delighted to officiate at this sod turning for the redevelopment of St Christopher’s Hospice. This hospice will provide much needed palliative care services to the communities of Cavan and Monaghan. It is an excellent example of what can be achieved when communities, the HSE and the government work together towards a common goal.”

This Specialist Palliative Care Unit will encompass a 16 bedded (single occupancy en-suite) inpatient unit that will cater for patients requiring specialist palliative and end of life care in Cavan and Monaghan. It will also encompass a Palliative care hub, consisting of an outpatient facility including a rapid access diagnostic and management capacity, a specialist day hospital and a Specialist Treatment Unit with capacity for infusions, transfusions, and a lymphedema service. It will also contain a physical therapies unit with capacity for prehabilitation and rehabilitation and a Creative Therapies Unit including art, music, creative and complimentary therapies. It is anticipated that building works will commence in May 2025 and that an 18-24 month construction timeline will be required, to complete the building works.

This redevelopment in total will cost €13.5 million. The Community has contributed a 4 acre site which was donated by the Loreto Order of Nuns for building of the existing Hospice from (entirely) voluntary fund raising. This combined with the further €2 million being made available recently by the Community is a significant contribution for the redevelopment of this facility. The great work and solid commitment by the Community towards St. Christopher’s for the past 38 years is a testament to the publics’ connection with this charity.

Dervila Eyres, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager for Cavan and Monaghan, stated: “I am delighted that people from Cavan and Monaghan with palliative care needs and their families will soon be able to avail of local, modern, specialist wrap around palliative care services accessible in our local community. This is a welcome partnership with the Board of St Christopher’s Hospice.”

The HSE in partnership with the Board of St. Christopher’s Hospice are delighted to confirm that the tender for the construction of the new St Chistopher’s Hospice, in Cavan has been awarded to McCabe Group.

Mandy Doyle, HSE Head of Primary Care, Community Services Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo stated “The HSE are delighted to be at this stage in the development of this new hospice inpatient unit. This hospice will facilitate earlier discharge from acute hospital and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions at end of life. It will be run by the HSE and integrated with HSE community specialist palliative care teams in place.”

Chairman of St Christopher’s Hospice Mr Jim Lalor said “This is an important stage in the development of this new hospice inpatient unit for the communities of both Cavan and Monaghan. It will provide vital palliative care for patients and support services for their families.”

The HSE and St Christopher’s Hospice charity work group have been working in partnership and will continue to work together with all key stakeholders to ensure the development of this hospice.