Members allowed to meet health officials over hospital

THE board of directors of Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children has mandated members to meet health officials to discuss plans for a new children’s hospital.

Last night, a spokeswoman denied this was a reversal of its decision to withdraw co-operation for plans to build the new hospital at a site it opposes. “This is not a re-engagement, it is not an olive branch,” the spokeswoman said.

The Crumlin hospital disengaged from plans to build the new hospital when the Mater Hospital campus was selected as the most suitable site. Crumlin argued that the site was too small, had no room for expansion, would offer fewer beds (380) than the combined tally (480) of the three existing children’s hospitals and, with its city centre location, would create access difficulties for parents bringing sick children.