It's understood that the appointment of the contractors for the refurbishment of a substantial section of the old St. Otteran’s Hospital will commence soon.
This will facilitate the relocation of audiology, orthodontics, and some ophthalmology services from University Hospital Waterford imminently with work to start in July.
At a recent HSE Oireachtas members engagement, it was stated that this vitally important project was due to commence in July, with a completion date of Q4 2024.
The project will have the dual benefit of creating state-of-the-art facilities for three vitally important services while also freeing up much-needed capacity within University Hospital Waterford which can be utilised for more appropriate acute care.
It is understood works will comprise the refurbishment of part of the old disused St. Otteran’s hospital ward areas to facilitate the construction of a new Audiology Unit on the ground floor (934m2) which will include four audiology acoustic testing booths, treatment areas, and staff facilities.
An Orthodontic Unit will be constructed on the first floor (806m2) which will include treatment areas, radiology, a decontamination unit, offices, and staff facilities. The Ophthalmology Unit will be housed across 2 floors (231m2) and have consultation rooms and offices which are accessed separately.
Works will also include a new 2-storey entrance area extension (124m2), 42 car parking spaces, associated disabled parking, universal access throughout, and landscaping.
Local Fine Gael Senator John Cummins told WLR: “I’ve been delighted to work collaboratively with my government colleagues Minister Mary Butler and Deputy Marc O’Cathasaigh to advance this critical project within government. While this is a community-based project, it is intrinsically linked to University Hospital Waterford and will prove very beneficial when it is completed in approximately 15 months”.
“This facility will be immediately adjacent to one of the largest Primary Care Centres in the country which was delivered by the last government at a cost of some €15.3 million. I believe it
further demonstrates the commitment of the government to rebalance health care between the community and acute settings which began under Minister for Health James Reilly. Thankfully we are starting to see the fruits of the community health care model as teams are expanded and services made available outside of the acute hospital setting. While the work which is undertaken at UHW and other model 4 hospitals rightly come under the spotlight, the level of investment and care which is now being provided across our primary care centres in Waterford, Ferrybank, Tramore, and Dungarvan is not fully understood.
