Children’s hospital ‘very interested’ in private proposal

THE hospital which controversially withdrew from plans for a new children’s hospital is prepared to re-enter talks if health authorities agree to consider a fresh proposal from a private developer on a new site.

Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin said it was “very interested” in plans for a new children’s hospital on a 20-acre site between Newlands Cross and Citywest, Dublin.

The proposal, the brainchild of Limerick developer Richard Farrington, includes plans to tri-locate children’s, adult and maternity hospitals.

If Mr Farrington is granted planning permission by South Dublin County Council he will offer to sell the site to the Government. The planning application will be lodged today.

Yesterday, Dr Fin Breatnach, paediatric oncologist at the Crumlin hospital, said: “Of course we would come back on board. We would come back for anything likely to meet the needs of children and their families. The majority of our concerns would be addressed by this campus.”

Dr Breatnach said he had been contacted by Mr Farrington for his views. The Health Service Executive (HSE) did not consult with paediatricians when deciding on the Mater site for the new hospital.

Crumlin withdrew from the process following the Mater’s selection on the grounds the site was too small and access was poor.

Yesterday, neither the HSE nor the Department of Health reacted positively to Mr Farrington’s proposal. John O’Brien, head of the National Hospital’s Office said there was “nothing new” in the offer, while Health Minister Mary Harney said it was a non-runner because it was not co-located with an adult teaching hospital.

Separately, the HSE is to meet with solicitor Noel Smyth, who last year offered to build a children’s hospital at cost price and donate a site near Newlands Cross.

However Derek Brady, Mr Smyth’s chief development officer, said “the whole scenario in terms of writing a cheque for the Government has changed. “It has now become a national project funded by the Government. We were prepared to offer time and services, but there was no part of our bid which said we’d be writing cheques,” he said.