Number of private hospitals set to increase by 50%

THE number of private hospitals is set to increase by 50% with a raft of developments underway.

Until last year, the Galway Clinic was the first private hospital built in 20 years, but another 10 projects are now in the pipeline.

Work has begun on some developments, including the 183-bed €180m Beacon Hospital in Sandyford, Co Dublin, and the €100m 125-bed Hermitage Clinic in Lucan, Co Dublin.