Blackrock Health has announced a major investment of €500 million across its Group of hospitals incorporating Blackrock Clinic, Hermitage Clinic, Galway Clinic and Limerick Clinic. The expansion will create 1,000 new jobs in the Dublin and Galway areas, increasing its total workforce to 4,000.
Over the next five years, the investment will facilitate significant expansion across the three hospitals including an additional total of:
- 187 beds, (77 in-patient beds and 110 ambulatory care beds)
- 14 new operating theatres
- 6 new cardiac cath labs and a cancer centre.
Thus, bringing the Group to a total of 808 beds including 495 in-patient beds, 313 day-case beds, 36 operating theatres and 10 cardiac cath labs. Continued investment will also be made into technology to deliver key speciality healthcare services.
Speaking at the announcement of the investment, Dr. Caroline Whelan, Group CEO, Blackrock Health said, “As our population continues to grow and age with more people living longer, we must always focus on their future healthcare needs. To continue delivering against our commitment to provide world-class clinical care, we are investing a further €500 million into Blackrock Clinic, Hermitage Clinic and Galway Clinic to future-proof the changing healthcare landscape. We will hire 1,000 people to ensure that we can continue to serve our patients in line with their evolving and growing health needs.”
Blackrock Clinic
At Blackrock Clinic this expansion will mean an additional 47 in-patient beds and 63 ambulatory care beds located within the existing site. 5 new operating theatres and 2 new cardiac cath labs will also be located in the hospital.
Blackrock Clinic will also be the home of the new cancer centre for the group. This will include 2 radiation suites and an expanded medical oncology unit to support cancer surgeries.
Hermitage Clinic
Hermitage Clinic will see an increase of 25 ambulatory care beds, 4 new operating theatres, 2 new endoscopy suites, 2 refurbished cardiac cath labs and 1 new cardiac cath lab located on the site. A new dedicated eye health clinic will also be opened at the Hermitage Clinic.
Galway Clinic
The Galway Clinic expansion will include 30 new in-patient beds, 7 new ambulatory care beds for cardiology patients. A further 15 ambulatory care beds will be opened along with 5 new operating theatres, 1 new cardiac cath lab and a new cardiac CT scanner increasing its capacity to provide cardiology services in the west.
The delivery of healthcare services in the future
Dr. Whelan continued: “Our plans for each hospital in the group are aligned to best practice thinking on the delivery of healthcare services in the future and respond to the needs of patients that we treat across each location. This includes expansion on ambulatory care beds by utilising the latest in medical advancements and as a result, reducing the need for hospital stays. Our continued investment in technology will enable our teams to continue to deliver world-class care whilst leveraging the very latest innovations in healthcare technology.”
Once complete, Blackrock Health, combining Hermitage, Blackrock, Galway and Limerick Clinics, will employ over 4000 staff providing world-class care in 495 inpatient beds, 313 ambulatory care beds, 36 operating theatres and 10 cardiac cath labs.
Sustainable design
All facets of new developments will be interrogated to evolve the most sustainable design solution to minimise carbon emissions.
It is Blackrock Health’s medium-term ambition to upgrade its entire building portfolio towards Net Zero Building Standards.