Report favours St James’s for children’s hospital

St James’s Hospital is set to win the long-running race to be named the new National Children’s Hospital site.

Leaked copies of the Dr Frank Dolphin report into the controversial location decision, which Health Minister Dr James Reilly has delayed publishing for another fortnight, said the city site will win out.

This means Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, west Dublin; two greenfield sites on the outskirts of the county; the Coombe; and the Mater site, which was originally chosen before becoming embroiled in controversy, will lose the race.

The report said St James’s best meets child patient needs as it will be co-located with medical expertise at the existing facility. The current St James’s site is also an adult academic teaching facility, and allows space for a maternity hospital.

The report said Connolly and the Coombe are best for planning.

However, Connolly needs “very substantial” investment. Even if this takes place, the necessary clinical standards could be decades away. In contrast, St James’s is considered to have an excellent clinical/research system.

It also has planning permission for a nine-storey development — removing a repeat of the An Bord Pleanála Mater rejection.

While the report has not yet been ratified, it appears to confirm St James’s will be the location.