Permission granted for 800m² pharmacy unit at Letterkenny University Hospital
HSE North West to relocate current Aseptic Compounding Unit to new building
The Health Service Executive (HSE) North West has been granted planning permission for a new three-storey building at Letterkenny University Hospital to facilitate a new Aseptic Compounding Unit (ACU).
An ASU is a specilised area within a pharmacy, designed for the preparation of medications.
The ASU currently at Letterkenny University Hospital will be relocated to the new building, which will be more than 800 square metres in size.
Plans also include provision for a link to the existing hospital as well as staff, office, and ancillary support rooms. An enclosed plant room, water tank room, and all other associated and ancillary works are part of the granted planning permission, which will be situated to the west of the hospital site, with access via the main hospital campus.
Architects of the new ACU, Rhatigan Architects, said that the hospital currently operates an ACU, “which started compounding operations over 20 years ago and is used to prepare individual patients’ chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies.
“A program has been initiated to provide a purpose-built integrated pharmacy department nearby to maintain safe and effective processes.
“Approximately 1,000 items are prepared per month in the current ACU exclusively for patients of Letterkenny University Hospital. The volumes have increased significantly over the last number of years and are expected to grow in volume, type, and complexity at a fairly constant rate in the future.
“The manufacture of cytotoxic, monoclonal antibody, CIVAS, and clinical trial products in the hospital compounding unit setting creates numerous challenges in terms of staff safety, product quality, shelf life, and ultimately patient safety.”
Planning permission for the project was granted by Donegal County Council, with four conditions, including a condition for the applicant to pay a contribution of €3,789.45 to the Planning Authority, in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefitting development in the area of the Planning Authority that is already provided or is intended will be provided by the Planning Authority.