Mater Private to open €75m hospital in Cork
Fergus Clancy, chief executive of Mater Private Healthcare (MPH), confirmed exclusively to the Irish Examiner that the 75-bed hospital will occupy the premises that formerly housed the Cork Medical Centre (CMC) at Citygate, Mahon.
CMC, backed by Sheehan Medical Ltd, closed in March, less than six months after it opened, with liabilities in excess of €5m and the loss of 75 jobs. Operating officer Philip Sheehan blamed the closure on the VHI’s refusal to provide cover.
Mr Clancy refused to be drawn on whether MPH was in discussions with the VHI vis-à-vis the proposed new facility.
However, he said: “We are confident of being able to reach agreement with them.
“We are fully sympathetic of their [the VHI’s] need to go through the process carefully to ensure members are protected and we are confident that we will come through the process with them.”
He anticipates 250 jobs at the Mater Private and is hoping to recruit locally.
The hospital will bring two firsts to the county:
* An integrated heart and vascular centre.
* Radiotherapy treatment for private patients
The Mater Private already provides a private radiotherapy service in Dublin and on the grounds of the Mid- Western Regional Hospital in Limerick.
It will boast a 20-bed day unit offering a full range of day services.
Agreement has been reached with John Cleary Developments (JCD), landlords of the Citygate premises, in relation to taking over the building.
Mr Clancy said the new hospital would address deficits in cardiac and cancer care, and in the number of private intensive care beds and operating theatres in Munster.
