Sale to boost health board’s coffers

ONE of the most valuable pieces of land in Cork City is set to go on the market shortly, following the announcement that Southern Health Board management is to seek approval to sell off St Kevin’s Hospital in Shanakiel.

It is expected the board of the SHB will shortly approve the sale of the hospital as well as some surrounding lands and buildings.

"The board will have a detailed valuation carried out prior to any sale going ahead.

"The board is anxious to ensure that it receives the maximum possible return from any such sale and will take the necessary measures to ensure that it does so," a health board spokeswoman said.

St Kevin's Hospital, an imposing red-brick building, was part of the larger complex, Our Lady's Hospital, originally built in the 19th century.

The health board believes it will attract a lot of interest from developers as there are excellent views of the river, and the waterworks.

The eastern annex of Our Lady's Hospital which later became St. Kevin's was added in 1893 and originally accommodated 490 patients. In more recent times, it has been used to accommodate patients of the Southern Health Board's North Lee mental health services and as the SHB's Intensive Care Unit for Cork City and County.

However, St Kevin's was finally closed to patients on March 27, 2002 when the last remaining patients were transferred to the Carraig Mór Centre, formerly St Anne's.

In 1999, the SHB considered a proposal to use St Kevin's as it new administrative headquarters, but instead it purchased the Cork Farm Centre at Dennehy's Cross.

St Kevin's Hospital is being used as an administration unit for the North Lee Mental health service.

SHB chairman Deputy Batt O'Keeffe said he would welcome the sale. "It is an extremely valuable piece of property and hopefully the revenue gained will be put back into community care," he said.