The long-awaited new National Children’s Hospital will open when We see safe to do so, approximately seven months after the hospital receives the “keys,” according to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI). The update comes as concerns mount over repeated delays and escalating costs for the project, which has been under construction for years. The commitment to a safe opening, and a timeframe linked to handover, was outlined ahead of a presentation to the Oireachtas Committee on Health.
CHI Chief Executive Lucy Nugent is expected to address the committee today, acknowledging the widespread public anxiety surrounding the opening date. Nugent will emphasize that the desire to open the new facility is shared by the hospital’s 5,000 staff currently working across the existing children’s hospital sites at Crumlin, Temple Street, and Tallaght. The new hospital represents a consolidation of these services into a single, state-of-the-art facility on the St. James’s Hospital campus.
Beyond the opening timeline, CHI is also reporting improvements in patient care, specifically in reducing waiting times for spinal surgery. Nugent will tell the committee that each month sees patients receiving treatment and being removed from waiting lists, even as new cases are added. The average inpatient or day-case wait time for spinal surgery in December was reduced to 4.2 months, a positive trend for families seeking specialized care.
Construction Progress and Ongoing Challenges
The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) provided an update on the construction progress, confirming a meeting on March 13th with Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, the Health Service Executive (HSE), and representatives from Royal BAM, the main building contractor. The meeting focused on securing assurance that BAM Ireland will meet its latest scheduled substantial completion date of April 30th. RTÉ News reported on the meeting and the ongoing concerns.
However, the path to completion has been fraught with delays. David Gunning, Chief Officer of the NPHDB, will inform the committee that BAM has revised the substantial completion date 18 times over the past seven years. Despite these setbacks, Gunning will highlight recent progress, noting that BAM has granted partial early access to certain areas of the hospital. Perform has been completed on the lower ground level, level 0, and level 6, with these areas undergoing clinical cleaning and the installation of over 5,500 pieces of medical and non-medical equipment, including crucial ICT infrastructure.
Specialist equipment, such as MRI, CT, and X-ray machines, are now fully installed. To date, over 2,850 of the 5,728 rooms within the hospital have been validated as meeting the required contract standards. The NPHDB is actively exercising its contractual rights to compel BAM to achieve substantial completion, including withholding 15% of payments when progress falls short of agreed-upon timelines.
Financial Overview and Contractual Disputes
The total cost incurred by the NPHDB by the finish of February reached €1.6 billion, including VAT. The NPHDB’s 2022 Annual Report provides a detailed overview of the project’s financial status. BAM Ireland has submitted 3,505 claims totaling €899 million, of which €53 million has been paid following assessment. Many of these claims are currently subject to conciliation, adjudication, and ongoing High Court proceedings, reflecting the complex contractual relationship between the NPHDB, and BAM.
The project’s origins date back to 2013, when the NPHDB was appointed by the Minister for Health to design, build, and equip the new hospital. BAM commenced above-ground construction in January 2019, marking a significant milestone in the project’s development. However, the initial timelines have been repeatedly extended, contributing to the growing financial burden and public scrutiny.
What’s Next for the National Children’s Hospital?
Despite the challenges, significant progress is being made. The focus now is on ensuring the hospital is fully equipped and clinically prepared for a safe and successful opening. The NPHDB is continuing to work closely with BAM to address outstanding issues and expedite the completion process. The substantial completion date of April 30th remains a critical target, although officials have consistently emphasized that the opening will only occur when it is deemed safe for patients and staff.
The final cost of the hospital and a definitive opening date remain unknown at this time. The Oireachtas Committee on Health hearing today will provide further insight into the project’s current status and the challenges that lie ahead. Updates from the NPHDB and CHI will continue to be published on their respective websites.
Disclaimer: This article provides information about a major infrastructure project and does not constitute medical or financial advice. Readers seeking medical care should consult with a qualified healthcare professional. For financial advice, consult a registered financial advisor.
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