Planning permission granted for expanded new hospital in midlands

Planning permission has been granted this week for an expanded hospital complex being developed in Tullamore by John Flanagan Developments.

The company, in a statement this evening, said it is delighted that planning permission has now been granted for the expanded Wellwood Hospital by Offaly County Council. This new hospital will have 56 in-patient beds and a further 70 day beds. It is estimated that it will be able to carry out 1300 procedures per day and would have a significant impact on the deficit in beds available throughout the health system and may help reduce waiting lists.

“This new hospital is part of the Wellwood Healthcare Campus,” said John Flanagan, Joint Managing Director. “We are planning to invest €150 million in the hospital, and we expect that up to 200 people will be employed during the construction phase and up to 300 permanent staff would then be employed on a permanent basis to deliver services.”

Following the initial successful planning application for the hospital a series of studies were carried out by the HSE that identified new and expanded demands for medical supports in the region. The revised planning application was designed so that Wellwood Hospital could meet those demands. It will provide a suite of integrated supports for Tullamore Regional Hospital; the newly co-located hospital represents a significant milestone in the ongoing commitment to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality in the region. The integration of this cutting-edge facility within Wellwood Health Campus reaffirms our dedication to medical excellence.

“While our original plan was to commence building in the summer of 2023, further research into the healthcare needs both locally and nationally indicated that the increased size would allow for further supports to help address the deficit in such services in the midlands and greater midlands region. This is an extremely important project for the country and the development needs to be in line with our growing population and needs to recognise future demands. The hospital project and the hospital itself will provide a substantial economic boost to Tullamore and the region,” said Dominic Doheny, Joint Managing Director.

The increased size will not only provide health services but will also provide more employment across several faculties. The comparatively low cost of living here means the town and county will continue to attract the best in medical expertise.

Wellwood Hospital will include five operating theatres, endoscopy suites and a full range of diagnostic imaging supports including MRI, CT, Ultrasound, Dexa (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) and PET (positron emission tomography), Cardiological and vascular diagnostic supports would help to address the deficit in such services in the Midlands. Ent, chemotherapy, urology, ophthalmology, cardiorespiratory, rehabilitation.

Wellwood directly adjoins Tullamore Regional Hospital and offers a unique co-located health park offering a comprehensive array of healthcare services and facilities in a single location, fostering integration and collaboration. Co-located parks typically bring together various medical facilities within one campus or complex, when one adds a residential accommodation offering it brings an even more unique health eco system to the park and region.

Among the many benefits that this hospital will bring to the region include the hospital offering

a wide array of specialised medical services, ranging from advanced surgical procedures to specialised treatments.

It will be equipped with the latest advancements in medical technology and infrastructure, the hospital will ensure access to state-of the art diagnostic and treatment modalities. Patients will benefit from cutting-edge innovations that enhance accuracy, efficiency, and patient outcomes.

Enhanced patient experience from streamlined registration processes to patient-centric amenities and facilities, the hospital will be committed to delivering an exceptional patient experience at every touchpoint. The focus on comfort, convenience and quality of care ensures that patients and their families feel supported and empowered throughout their healthcare journey.

The establishment of the hospital at Wellwood Health Campus Tullamore is poised to stimulate economic growth and create employment opportunities within the region.