Two sites in Offaly being considered for new €20m Midland Hospice development

A SITE in Tullamore for the multi-million Midlands hospice development is expected to be chosen by the Department of Health in the near future.

Two locations – at Arden Lane and at the Wellwood Health Park, both in Tullamore – have been identified as sites for the multi-million development.

It is understood that an independent review – commissioned by the Health Service Executive – selected the Arden Lane site as the preferred location for the hospice.

This week, Offaly Hospice Foundation, released a statement giving nine reasons why the Wellwood Health Park is its preferred location for the new hospice.

The Arden Lane site is the preferred option of the Irish Hospice Foundation, Laois Hospice, the two hospices in county Westmeath and Tullamore Lions Club's Hooves4Hospice fundraising campaign which has raised substantial funds through the sale of cattle for the hospice development.

The retired Chief Executive Officer of the Midland Health Board, Denis Doherty, who is a member of the Hooves4Hospice committee, said the Arden Lane site, measuring 3.7 acres, was twice the size of the Wellwood site.

Speaking to the Tribune on Tuesday afternoon, he said the hospice planned for there would be single storey in keeping with guidelines issued by the Department of Health for such developments.

He revealed that the Hooves4Hospice committee has an agreement in principle to purchase the Arden Lane site for the development if this location is chosen.

Humphrey O'Connor, Chairman of Offaly Hospice Foundation, also speaking to the Tribune on Tuesday, said, if the Wellwood location is chosen, they will purchase the site from the Flanagan Group at a discount price and donate it free of charge to the Health Service Executive.

He added; "Since its foundation 34 years ago Offaly Hospice has been the key fundraising organisation promoting palliative care services in Offaly and more widely across the Midlands region.“

A statement from Offaly Hospice listed nine advantages of the Wellwood site as follows:

1. In keeping with national guideline, the site on Wellwood is co located with Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore giving access to all essential medical services and support when necessary.

2. The site is zoned appropriately for healthcare developments

3. There is no obstacle to making an immediate planning application

4. There are no external infrastructure challenges for delivering this development.

5. Irish Water has given a connection agreement for both sewer and possible water

6. Direct access from the N52 bypass will give stress free access to families from throughout the region

7. Public connectivity to this site is excellent

8. There is good precedent for planning related development with the recently granted planning for a hospital on Wellwood

9. Wellwood also has plans for onsite accommodation for hospital staff.

Professor O'Connor added: “Apart from our campaign to build and commission the Midlands regional hospice, Offaly Hospice over the years has supported the important Community and Health Care Team. For instance, over the past 10 years Offaly Hospice has donated over €1.3m to the HSE to help provide those services and will continue to do so.“

Meanwhile, Deputy Carol Nolan blasted what she termed a "copy and paste reply" from the Health Minister to her Dail question last week on the planned hospice development.

“This reply is just not acceptable. Indeed, the Minister issued almost the precise same reply a number of months ago. It is the kind of copy and paste response that so many public representatives receive on critical matters. We need absolute clarity on this issue not stock responses that advance us no further,” said Deputy Nolan.

In his written reply, Minister Donnelly said: "The development of a new specialist palliative care inpatient unit at Tullamore is a named priority area for action in the HSE National Service Plan (NSP) 2024, HSE Capital Plan 2024 and Three-Year Palliative Care Services Development Framework (2017 – 2019). It is also a commitment in the Programme for Government.

"As Minister, I am fully committed to the building of a new Midlands Hospice. In September 2022, the Government announced €20 million in capital funding for the development of a 20-bed specialist palliative care inpatient unit in the Midlands. The development will provide a hub for the provision of specialist palliative care services across the Midlands, including day care, outpatient, inpatient and community services. In 2024, the palliative care budget increased to a total allocation of €155.5m.

"It is anticipated that a decision on the chosen site for the new Midlands Hospice will be announced shortly. The selected site will provide the best palliative care to the people of the Midlands. The Department of Health will continue to progress developments for palliative care services in Ireland, working towards the highest possible quality of end-of-life care and support for people with life limiting illnesses across the country."

Meanwhile, Fine Gael General Election candidate in Offaly, Cllr. John Clendennen has called on the Minister for Health to urgently announce the preferred location for the construction of a new regional hospice facility in Tullamore. 

"The development of a dedicated hospice facility to serve the Midlands has been under consideration for some time. However, no decision has yet been made on the preferred location."

Commenting on the need for immediate action, Cllr Clendennen stated: "The region needs to move forward now with the delivery of this vital hospice facility for the Midlands, which will be based in Tullamore. I have written to Minister Donnelly to express my support and the urgency of making a decision on the location. I have also remained in contact with An Taoiseach Simon Harris regarding this critical matter."

Cllr Clendennen emphasised the importance of the project, highlighting that "this hospice facility represents a Government investment in excess of €20 million and is long overdue. Currently, hospice patients from the Midlands are relying on services provided in other regions across the country. On a basic level of human rights, this dignified and sensitive medical care must be provided as a matter of urgency."

Cllr Clendennen concluded by stressing the time-sensitive nature of the decision, stating, "With the Government nearing the end of its full term, it is essential that Minister Donnelly makes this decision as a matter of urgency."

Denis Doherty said the Midlands is the only region in the country without a hospice.

"We are very far behind," he outlined.