Laois group says further Midlands hospice delays would be 'major lost opportunity'

Any further delays in building a hospice for Laois and other Midland counties would represent a "major lost opportunity" in the delivery of palliative in a purpose-built unit.

So says Laois Hospice Foundation has welcomed the decision Offaly County Councillors to vote to change the Offaly County Development Plan that clears the way for planning permission for the Level 3 in-patient hospice in Tullamore for the people of Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath.

Offaly Hospice Foundation have objected to the HSE's planning application to build the hospice, but Mary Delaney, Chairperson of Laois Hospice, hopes that there will be no further delays in the project, which has the backing of the Government in the shape of €24 million in committed public money.

"Any further delays not to proceed with this building on the Arden Lane site would constitute a major lost opportunity, the reversal of which would cause further delays to the provision of this vital service that the people of the Midlands are entitled to at this stage," said Ms Delaney in a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live on behalf of Laois Hospice.

"Laois Hospice very much welcomes this decision, and we sincerely hope there will be no further delays with this planning permission and this project can now proceed to the next stage without further delay," she said.

Laois Hospice said this site consists of 3.5 acres of land, making it the largest of the three sites considered. The Laois organisation says this space makes it large enough for the proposed development to have patient facilities on the ground floor

They also say the site is south-facing and offers the capacity for each inpatient room to have a door to a tranquil outdoor space, which is a very positive feature for each patient and their family.

Another reason why Laois Hospice backs the Arden Lane site is because of the capacity for expansion, which is seen by Laois Hospice as a major advantage given the region’s growing population, both in age and numbers

Laois Hospice also believes the location, while accessible to the hospital and the town, is well served by the existing road network for people travelling from the surrounding towns in the region, such as Portlaoise, Portarlington and Mountmellick.

The Laois Hospice Chairperson expanded on the rationale for locating the site at Arden Lane in Tullamore.

"The Midlands region has been waiting for more than two decades for this Level 3 Midlands Hospice to be available. While we have excellent community palliative care services for patients who can be cared for at home, an inpatient unit of this standard is essential for patients presenting with complex palliative care needs to complete the package of care for the people of our community who are at the end of life and for their families.

"While considering what would be best for the region by way of a level 3 in-patient hospice facility, visits were made to facilities both here in Ireland and abroad. Research shows ground floor patient accommodation in a spacious pastoral environment is essential to provide high-quality patient care.

"The above is all based on advice from Clinicians, design specialists, leaders in the Irish Palliative Care field and families who have used inpatient Palliative care services," said Ms Delaney.

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At least 75% of the Offaly councillors needed to vote in favour, but the 19 council members unanimously voted for the change, which clears the way for a 20-bed palliative care facility on the greenfield site. The Hospice will also have ancillary services, including a Day Therapy Unit and an education centre.

Offaly Hospice Foundation favours an alternative site on the Tullamore bypass at the Wellwood site which was originally