Upgrade planned at Portlaoise hospital's maternity unit

Plans have been revealed for a new construction project at Portlaoise hospital, which looks set to enhance facilities for staff and patients attending the Maternity Unit of the Laois facility.

The HSE has lodged an application with planning permission for Laois County Council for an extension to be located along the Block Road, west of the main Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise building.

Planning documents say the development consists of the construction of a new three-storey building consisting of a new lift shaft and lobbies, a new stairwell, ancillary accommodation and associated siteworks serving part of the existing ground floor medical ward, the first floor Endoscopy Unit and the second floor Maternity Unit.

The extension will also consist of a part ground-floor single-storey extension, consisting of a new staff room and lobby off the adjacent medical ward and lobby area. A two-storey extension above part of the existing ground floor will include a new first-floor office, a new endoscopy plant room and ancillary accommodation, plus a new second-floor switch room, sanitary accommodation and ancillary accommodation together.

The building will be located near the service yard, which is accessible via the Block Road. The building will be located behind a medical assessment unit that opened along the Block Road in 2014. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

The HSE told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that the new lift and stair core would provided an additional escape route for patients and staff serving the ground, first and second floors and safer and more efficient access to the hospital's roof areas for maintenance staff.

“This new development represents a significant investment in the future of Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise future healthcare service. The extension will respond to the growing population in the local and surrounding community areas by enhancing existing access to acute and specialist care, and support the delivery of timely, high-quality treatment,” it said.

The HSE said construction is expected to commence once all necessary statutory approvals have been secured.

The proposal does not include any new access point from Block Road for ambulances or members of the public accessing the maternity unit.

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The project is the latest addition to the Laois hospital, which was built in 1936. The most recent and significant expansion was the multi-million three-storey extension to the east of the main hospital building to provide a new Respiratory Assessment Unit, Paediatrics Unit and associated plant room.

The Minister for Health, Jenniffer Carroll MacNeill, revealed at the official opening that there are also plans for a new 48-bed wing on the grounds of a hospital which the HSE wanted to downgrade in 2017.

Laois County Council aims to decide on the application in late August 2026.