A specialist inpatient hospice service for Cavan and Monaghan has reached a major milestone today.
The sod has been turned on the 16 bed specialist inpatient hospice service at St Christopher's, Cavan.
The former building had the capacity for 3 palliative care patients. This new specialist unit being delivered will have 16 specialists in patient bed unit which will cater for patients requiring specialist palliative and end of life care. The new building will also include a Palliative Care Hub, an out-patient facility, a specialist day hospital, a specialist treatment unit, a physical therapies unit and a creative therapies unit.
Local contractors and architects are involved in delivering this multi-million euro project. Michael Fitzpatrick's Architects in Butlersbridge designed this project and Declan McCabe and the McCabe group will be carrying out construction.
It was confirmed at the sod turning event today that it will take 18 months to build with a view to the project being ready in Quarter 1 of 2027. Tánaiste Simon Harris says this Cavan Monaghan facility will be a gamechanger when it comes to the delivery of palliative care across the region. “I am delighted to officiate at this sod turning for the redevelopment of St Christopher’s Hospice. This hospice will provide much needed palliative care services to the communities of Cavan and Monaghan. It is an excellent example of what can be achieved when communities, the HSE and the government work together towards a common goal.”
Chairperson of St Christopher's Hospice, Jim Lalor, says the planned state of the art facility is a testament to all the community who have supported the hospice over the years. “This is an important stage in the development of this new hospice inpatient unit for the communities of both Cavan and Monaghan. It will provide vital palliative care for patients and support services for their families.”
Minister Niamh Smyth has paid tribute to the committee and everyone involved who has brought the project to where it is today.
Minister Smyth said, “I want to congratulate firstly the Board of St Christopher’s Hospice for their drive in bringing this project to fruition. I also want to recognise the endless support from members of the public over the past number of years in fundraising for this state-of-the-art inpatient unit. Without them, I have no doubt this day would not have been possible.
“I was delighted to support the Board of St Christophers along with my Oireachtas Colleagues over the past number of years through the various stages of this project. Through meetings in Leinster House and working with the HSE on the design stage, we have now arrived at a momentous day where we will see work commence on the site,” said Minister Smyth.
This Specialist Palliative Care Unit will encompass a 16 bedded (single occupancy en-suite) inpatient unit that will cater for patients requiring specialist palliative and end of life care in Cavan and Monaghan. It will also encompass a Palliative care hub, consisting of an outpatient facility including a rapid access diagnostic and management capacity, a specialist day hospital and a Specialist Treatment Unit with capacity for infusions, transfusions, and a lymphedema service. It will also contain a physical therapies unit with capacity for prehabilitation and rehabilitation and a Creative Therapies Unit including art, music, creative and complimentary therapies. It is anticipated that building works will commence in May 2025 and that an 18-24 month construction timeline will be required, to complete the building works.
This redevelopment in total will cost €13.5 million. The Community has contributed a 4 acre site which was donated by the Loreto Order of Nuns for building of the existing Hospice from (entirely) voluntary fund raising. This combined with the further €2 million being made available recently by the Community is a significant contribution for the redevelopment of this facility. The great work and solid commitment by the Community towards St. Christopher’s for the past 38 years is a testament to the publics’ connection with this charity.
Dervila Eyres, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager for Cavan and Monaghan, stated: “I am delighted that people from Cavan and Monaghan with palliative care needs and their families will soon be able to avail of local, modern, specialist wrap around palliative care services accessible in our local community. This is a welcome partnership with the Board of St Christopher’s Hospice.”
The HSE in partnership with the Board of St. Christopher’s Hospice are delighted to confirm that the tender for the construction of the new St Chistopher’s Hospice, in Cavan has been awarded to McCabe Group.
Mandy Doyle, HSE Head of Primary Care, Community Services Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo stated “The HSE are delighted to be at this stage in the development of this new hospice inpatient unit. This hospice will facilitate earlier discharge from acute hospital and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions at end of life. It will be run by the HSE and integrated with HSE community specialist palliative care teams in place.”
The HSE and St Christopher’s Hospice charity work group have been working in partnership and will continue to work together with all key stakeholders to ensure the development of this hospice.
