Limerick welcomes Ireland's first new large hospital in almost 20 years

Around 45,000 annual discharges between in-patients and day procedures are expected at the  new Bons Secours Hospital Limerick, with another 100,000 attending for X-rays and out-patient care.

Small work groups and a tight focus on deadlines were key to opening the new Bon Secours Limerick hospital, the chief executive said while standing in a surgical theatre where fields once lay five years ago.

It is the first large hospital to open in Ireland in almost 20 years, offering scheduled operations and other options to a region struggling more than most with access to healthcare.

Inside a nature-inspired interior, flower-shaped light fittings share space with white theatres and cutting-edge technology.

Jason Kenny, who worked in the HSE for over 30 years before coming to the private operation in Limerick, said: “So five and half years ago where we’re standing now, underneath, was the field where we walked with my colleagues, during covid times.

"From the outset, we spoke to Limerick council, they were advising us.” 

The project included a design team of 24 professionals, working with architecture firms Reddy and HOK.

“Within 12 months to the day, we designed the hospital, submitted planning applications, and received planning,” he said.

That was June 2022, construction began early 2023 with Sisk. The first patients were seen last month.

He highlighted input from senior clinical and nursing staff at its hospital in Barrington’s in Limerick City. 

That Georgian building is now emptying.

Mr Kenny is far too canny to comment directly on another hospital being built in Dublin, the long-delayed National Children's Hospital, saying only: “I wouldn’t be as arrogant to say we have a blueprint here. But certainly if someone came to ask: ‘Would you mind sharing x, y, or z?’, then absolutely.

“It’s not a level 4 tertiary trauma centre, this is primarily an elective hospital.” 

The new in-patient CT scanner at Bon Secours Hospital Limerick

Many staff who spoke to the Irish Examiner on Tuesday were alumni of University Hospital Limerick. 

However, Mr Kenny insisted HSE boss Bernard Gloster need not worry.

“I’ve never come for any staff, but my phone would always be answered,” he said. 

"We have not been inundated with HSE staff leaving there in so-called droves.” 

Among the benefits for patients of the new hospital is the removal of fear of winter cancellations, as the site does not have an emergency department.

GPs can refer into a clinic similar to a medical assessment unit. 

He expects around 45,000 annual discharges between in-patients and day procedures, with another 100,000 attending for X-rays and out-patient care.

Many patients, including older people, will be HSE-funded. They can access a PET scanner from later this year, a first for the region. 

Dr Jude Ryan, geriatrician, noted the wide corridors make it easier for frailer people to walk without fear of falling.

She worked for 13 years at UHL and said there is a close relationship between the Bons and HSE community services. 

“The environment is wonderful here for older patients, their families can stay with them,” she said.

The 91 in-patient rooms have couches, relatives are welcome to a free meal too. Wards are named after local saints, including St Munchin, which give another homely touch.

Televisions will display digital health records as the Bons group rolls this out between now and July across its five hospitals.

Speaking in another new theatre, Professor Eamon Kavanagh, vascular surgeon, has also transferred from UHL.

Prof Eamon Kavanagh, professor in vascular surgery at Bon Secours Hospital Limerick.

“What we can provide here is excellent, planned, elective, safe surgery,” he said. 

"We’re very excited about it, this is a fantastic opportunity for patients here.” 

Bernadette Carroll, director of nursing, has been with the Bons since 2019 after a long HSE career including at St John’s Hospital and UHL.

“We brought 250 existing staff with us, and now we’re going to double our workforce. So for nursing, approximately 130 came from Barrington’s, and now we’re going to grow our team to in excess of 300 nurses and healthcare assistants,” she said.

The hospital is recruiting locally and abroad, and Ms Carroll is also seeing “an interesting cohort” of Irish nurses returning home from Australian hospitals.

She echoed Mr Kenny’s comments about the ethos, saying the “same high-quality patient care” will be delivered here.