HSE submits planning bid for Midland Hospice in Tullamore
The HSE has confirmed that it's submitted a planning application to Offaly County Council for the Midland Hospice development.
The long-awaited project is being proposed for a site on Arden Lane, Tullamore.
In a statement issued this afternoon (Tuesday), the HSE said the main features of the hospice would be "a much-needed 20 bed specialist palliative care inpatient unit, a Day Therapy Unit and an education centre.
"Because of its location and the size of the site, there will be extensive landscaping of the grounds, and each inpatient bedroom will be on the ground floor with direct access to an individual outdoor area," it added.
The services of the hospice will primarily be available to patients living in the four Midlands counties of Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath.
Dr Pauline Kane, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, said: "Having a specialist palliative care inpatient unit in the Midlands will mean that our local specialist palliative care teams will have the full range of services available to patients.
"The Midlands Hospice will give the specialist palliative care service the ability to provide intensive symptom support and multi-disciplinary input to patients with challenging symptoms in a more appropriate environment than an acute hospital.
"This is a hugely important development for our patients and their families to have this facility and we are looking forward to it becoming a reality very soon."
The HSE added that the Midlands Hospice would "provide our local specialist palliative care teams with a full range of inpatient and day services locally.
"This will enable the specialist management of patients with difficult symptoms in a more appropriate environment for terminally ill patients rather than an acute hospital, without the need to attend the Emergency Department."
In addition, the HSE expressed its gratitude to the following groups (in alphabetical order): Hooves for Hospice, Irish Hospice Foundation, Laois Hospice, Longford Hospice, North Westmeath Hospice, Offaly Hospice and South Westmeath Hospice.
It also thanked local public representatives who have supported the project from across the Midlands and the Department of Health.