Decision on location of hospice site for the people of Laois expected shortly

A decision on the location of a new Midland Regional Hospice to serve the people of Laois, Offaly and Westmeath is expected shortly. 

Amid differing views on the more suitable location, Offaly Hospice has issued a statement setting out its preferred site for the planned new Midland Regional Hospice. 

The charity which is seeking to advance the €20 million Midlands Regional Hospice project said that if its preferred site is selected, it will purchase the land which is located beside the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, and donate it free of charge for the project. 

It’s understood the statement, which sets out the rationale for choosing the site, was issued amid fears that another site which is viewed less favourably by Offaly Hospice, may soon be selected instead.

Sites at the Wellwood Health Park and another off Arden Lane in Tullamore had emerged as potential sites for the Midland Regional Hospice site earlier this year. 

However, hospice groups in the Midlands are divided on which of the two sites is most appropriate for the new 20-bed unit.

The Wellwood site is home to a partially constructed private hospital on land controlled by Tullamore company John Flanagan Developments.  

It is the site which Offaly Hospice would like to see developed into the new Midland Regional Hospice. 

“Since its foundation 34 yrs ago Offaly Hospice has been the key fundraising organisation promoting Palliative Care Services in Offaly and more widely across the Midlands region. Our preferred site for the proposed Midland Regional Hospice is on the Wellwood Health Park adjacent to the Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore,” Offaly Hospice said in a statement this afternoon.  

Offaly Hospice has an option to buy the site at a discount rate and if chosen will donate the site free of charge to the HSE.

The organisation says the advantages of the Wellwood Hospice site are as follow:

1. In keeping with national guidelines, the site on Wellwood is co-located with MRHT giving access to all essential medical services and support when necessary.
2. The site is zoned appropriately for healthcare developments.
3. There is no obstacle to making an immediate planning application.
4. There are no external infrastructure challenges for delivering this development.
5. Irish Water has given a connection agreement for both sewer and possible water.
6. Direct access from the N52 bypass will give stress free access to families from throughout the region. 
7. Public connectivity to this site is excellent.
8. There is good precedent for planning related development with the recently granted planning for a hospital on Wellwood. 
9. Wellwood also has plans for onsite accommodation for hospital staff.

“Apart from our campaign to build and commission the Midlands Regional Hospice, Offaly Hospice over the years has supported the important Community and Health care Team. For instance, over the past 10 years Offaly Hospice has donated over €1.3 million euro to the HSE to help provide those services and will continue to do so,” Offaly Hospice stated.  

Minister Stephen Donnelly visited both sites in Tullamore last February. He described each as excellent and promised a decision on the preferred site would be made quickly. 

The Arden Lane site is the preferred option of the Irish Hospice Foundation, Laois Hospice, the two hospices in county Westmeath and Tullamore Lions Clubs Hooves4Hospice fundraising campaign which has raised substantial funds through the sale of cattle for the hospice development.

The retired Chief Executive Officer of the Midland Health Board, Denis Doherty, who is a member of the Hooves4Hospice committee, said the Arden Lane site, measuring 3.7 acres, was twice the size of the Wellwood site.

Speaking to the Tullamore Tribune on Tuesday afternoon, he said the hospice planned for there would be single storey in keeping with guidelines issued by the Department of Health for such developments. He revealed that the Hooves4Hospice committee has an agreement in principle to purchase the Arden Lane site for the development if this location is chosen.