Naas Hospital to benefit from endoscopy suite
An endoscopy unit similar to one acquired by Naas General Hospital
NAAS General Hospital is to get a new Endoscopy Suite, a critical piece of infrastructure that has been sought for many years.
“I am delighted to receive confirmation from HSE CEO Bernard Gloster following negotiations with the HSE and Department of Health of the delivery of a new endoscopy suite for Naas General Hospital, a project I have fought for since I was first elected as a TD 15 years ago,” said Minister Martin Heydon.
“I have worked with my colleague Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Bernard Gloster to highlight the urgent need for this critical infrastructure at Naas which has been proposed for many years.
“It will be a great boost for management and staff at Naas General Hospital to hear that €10m in funding has now been secured to ensure progress can commence on the new state-of-the-art suite imminently. It is proposed that a design team will be appointed by the end of April, with a build time of 30 months thereafter.
“Naas Hospital has long been a hub for endoscopy procedures, but Professor Eguare and his hard-working team at Naas have been working in the existing theatre space and have had to outsource cases due to capacity constraints.
“The delivery of this new dedicated suite will ensure they can continue their important work for the growing population of Kildare and West Wicklow, delivering more procedures in improved conditions for the benefit of all patients.
“This is a really important confirmation today for the provision of healthcare at Naas General Hospital and the wider region.
“Thank you to Minister Carroll MacNeill and Bernard Gloster for their assistance in getting this over the line and my colleague cllr Peggy O’Dwyer, a former staff member at the hospital, who supported my efforts to secure this important investment."
“I will continue to work with management of the Hospital, the HSE and all of my colleagues on the delivery of this critical piece of infrastructure at Naas Hospital and will continue to push for more improvements to enhance the experience at Naas for both patients and staff alike”, said the minister.
Naas Hospital currently has no dedicated endoscopy suite, with procedures delivered within theatre space.
Current annual demand is approximately 6,500 procedures with 60 per cent outsourced, at an estimated cost of €5m per annum across the wider system (including NTPF and Access to Care).
An outer limit €10m capital envelope is provided for to include contingency and construction inflation and this will feature in the specified capital cash provisions in the plans approved by the Minister for Health Dr Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, during the life of the project.
The revenue provisions are agreed in principle.
