Extensions to Tullamore hospital oncology ward and ED mooted

Possible extensions to the oncology day ward and emergency department at Tullamore Hospital are among the Offaly developments that were included in the HSE's 2024 capital plan for health infrastructure projects.

However these developments, along with some other proposed health infrastructure initiatives in the county, are at the 'appraisal' stage of the process, meaning no firm decision has yet been taken on if or when they will proceed.

In a final draft of the HSE's capital plan for 2024, seen by the Offaly Independent, it was stated that the proposed extension to the emergency department in Tullamore would include eight consulting rooms and a 10-bed Acute Medical Assessment Unit.

It would also see the expansion and reconfiguration of the existing emergency department "to provide additional triage spaces and waiting areas and offices".

The proposed extension of the oncology day ward would cover 700 square metres, over two storeys, to provide eight ward isolation rooms on level one, while on level two there would be three consulting rooms, an eight-bay treatment area, one isolation room, and associated services.

In February, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the plan to develop a hospice beside Tullamore Hospital had been abandoned, however the 2024 capital plan does still list a 20-bed palliative care unit at the hospital in Tullamore as a development that's at the 'appraisal' stage.

Also at the 'appraisal' stage is a plan for a new standalone ambulance base on a greenfield site in Tullamore, incorporating an "Emerging Threat Team (ETT) facility, Ambulance Health Region HQ and training facility".

A major refurbishment of the existing Birr Community Nursing Unit is at the same stage of the process, and if it goes ahead it's due to see extension and reconfiguration works to provide "all single en-suite bedroom accommodation" for the nursing unit's residents.

At present, there are just 12 single en-suite bedrooms in the nursing unit in Birr, but the proposed project would bring the number of en-suite bedrooms up to 76.

At a slightly more advanced stage of the development process is the establishment of a "high support community residence" with ten bedrooms at Birchwood House, Tullamore. This project was listed in the plan as currently being at the 'detailed design' phase.

Separately, an 'Acute Hospital Inpatient Bed Capacity Expansion Plan' for 2024–2031 was published recently by the Department of Health and outlined plans for the addition of 72 inpatient beds at Tullamore Hospital between 2025 and 2028.

The Government said it was investing almost €1.2 billion in healthcare infrastructure, equipment and furnishing of healthcare facilities in 2024, and that this funding would help to "progress and deliver a range of acute and community projects across the country".