Mr Brendan Howlin TD, Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform visited Wexford General Hospital (WGH), where he officiated at a ceremony "marking out of the site" to commence the Hospitals €20m capital development.

Earlier this year, the HSE welcomed an announcement by the Minister that €20 million funding was available to proceed with this priority capital development incorporating a new Emergency Department, Concourse and Maternity Theatre/Delivery Suites. The €20 million allocation, which features in the HSE’s Capital Plan, will fund the construction, fitting out and equipping of the new development at WGH.

During his visit to WGH, Minister Howlin viewed the current Emergency Department facilities and was briefed on refurbishment plans to begin in December 2011. Upon completion, the new Emergency Department will provide a total of 17 treatment spaces for emergency patients. The new ED will also provide a much enhanced environment for patients and for the staff working in the Department.

The current Maternity Theatre/Delivery Suite, to be replaced as part of the new capital development, was also visited by the Minister. The project includes the demolition of the existing Delivery Suite, with two new constructions over three floors. There will be a temporary link corridor from the existing Maternity Ward to the new Delivery Suite during phased construction and some temporary relocation of services at various stages of the development.

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The new Maternity Theatre/Delivery Suites will provide increased capacity, with additional delivery facilities for expectant mothers. Upon completion the capacity in the delivery suites will go from two 2-bed delivery rooms to five single bed delivery rooms. This will be in line with current best practice and the increase in capacity addresses the increased obstetric demand of recent years.

In addition to the new Emergency Department and Maternity Theatre / Delivery Suite, a new main entrance and Hospital concourse will be developed as part of the overall extension to the Hospital.

During his visit, the Minister was also taken to see "Suaimhneas", the new relatives' room on St. Patrick's Ward. The room will be available to relatives of patients staying overnight to facilitate appropriate end-of-life care. It also provides an appropriate setting for Hospital staff to meet with relatives receiving distressing news.

Welcoming Minister Howlin to WGH, Mr. Pat Healy, Regional Director of Operations, HSE South said: "We very much welcome the Minister's presence here today to mark the commencement of this major capital development and appreciate his support in securing the €20 million funding for the new Emergency Department, Hospital Concourse and Theatre/Delivery Suites. This is the most significant investment in the Hospital over the last 20 years. I'd like to thank Minister Howlin for his continued support for the Hospital and other services provided by the HSE in Co. Wexford. I also want to thank the management and staff at WGH for their continued excellence in the delivery of services to the people of Wexford."

(CD)