Construction of the first of what is likely to be a number of new private hospitals in Limerick is expected to get under way shortly after it was confirmed yesterday that planning permission had been approved for a 95-bed private hospital on the outskirts of Limerick city.
Planning was approved for the development by Limerick City Council. However Limerick County Council is also considering an application for planning permission for a 100-bed private hospital on the grounds of Adare Manor.
In addition, under plans announced recently by Minister for Health Mary Harney, there is likely to be a new private hospital built on the grounds of Limerick Regional Hospital. The Beacon Medical Group has already expressed an interest in building this hospital.
The hospital development on the outskirts of Limerick city announced yesterday will cost €60 million and will be known as the Blackberry Medical Facility. It will be located on the Ballykeefe Road.
The company behind the development, Blackberry Park Properties Ltd, said it had been granted full planning permission for the hospital. It said the hospital would be completed in late 2007.
The facility will have 95 hospital beds, six operating theatres, a physiotherapy centre and 14 recovery units.
Up to 150 medical staff will be employed and some 300 people are expected to be involved in the construction of the facility.
Shay Sweeney, managing director of Blackberry Park Properties Ltd, said the company had done extensive research into the provision of private healthcare in the US.
He said it would be "dedicated to providing the very best in healthcare service and facilities" and that the need for a private hospital in the midwest region was evident.
The new hospital will be located just over a mile from Limerick Regional Hospital.