Plans have been drawn up for the construction of a first private hospital in the north-east., writes Eithne Donnellan, Health Correspondent
The 50-bed hospital is to be in Dundalk, and building will commence, subject to planning permission, early next year.
The estimated cost of the venture, which expects to share some services with the local Louth County Hospital, is €50 million.
Dr Mary Grehan, a local GP and county councillor, is one of those spearheading the project.
"We have been so frustrated with the downgrading of the local hospital and the fact that a lot of outpatient lists in the Dublin hospitals are being closed to patients outside the eastern region that we have decided to do something about it ourselves and that was why this was born."
She said three sites had been offered for the project."Our group has been having discussions with the North Eastern Health Board over the last number of months in order to agree how best to share services between the two hospitals."
While planning permission has not yet been obtained, Dr Grehan does not expect it to be a problem as the county council had been very supportive of the project.
It is envisaged the hospital will provide a diagnostic imaging unit with MRI and CAT scanning equipment, a physiotherapy unit, a specialist services unit providing infertility treatment, and a haematology/laboratory services unit to ensure same-day analysis of patient samples.
"Gynaecological and paediatric services will also be available, and negotiations for the return of obstetrics are ongoing," Dr Grehan said.
There are also plans for a theatre block, and consultants from Northern Ireland and Dublin had expressed an interest in providing cardiology, dermatology, neurology, rheumatology and several other specialities.
"Dundalk is currently the largest provincial town in the country with a population in excess of 30,000 and this is anticipated to increase to 70,000 within the next 10 years.
"When this is added to the population of the catchment area of the entire north-east counties, a private hospital complementing current public health services will be a significant positive development." she claimed.