Representatives welcome Rotunda retention after '11 years of utter inaction'
The decision for the Rotunda maternity hospital to remain in its current location has been welcomed by representatives, but they say more needs to be done to ensure it has all the facilities it needs.
A long-standing plan to move the hospital to the site of Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown has been dropped and Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has stated a new planning application for a critical care extension will be re-submitted. Lord Mayor Councillor Ray McAdam welcomed this and highlighted the need for an enhanced sexual assault treatment unit at the Parnell Square medical facility.
“The Rotunda Hospital is an iconic institution in the heart of Dublin , it is vital that it stays and is redeveloped in the city centre. I’m delighted to see that the Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has confirmed her focus is on the future of its current site on Parnell Square with the aim to have a planning application in before summer,” Lord Mayor McAdam said.
“It was disappointing to see the decision last month to overturn the development of a critical care wing but I commend the Health Minister for moving so swiftly in response. The care this hospital will provide must be delivered, so a new planning submission is needed as soon as possible.”
He said that, as one of the busiest maternity hospitals in Europe, it is an essential facility for providing care for women and babies across Dublin. “We need the expansion of facilities to include greater Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) capacity, single room beds, and a new theatre,” Lord Mayor McAdam explained.
“An enhanced sexual assault unit will continue to provide care for all at this site. This is critical for an ever-growing Dublin city. We all know the high quality of the work carried out in the Rotunda, where critically ill babies receive incredible specialist care. We want to see staff have access to the best facilities for them to carry out their work.”
Sinn Fein Cllr Janice Boylan welcomed the retention of the hospital at its current location in a social media video. She said her party recognises that “the building itself needs to be completely upgraded” but supports it remaining in the North Inner City, “exactly where it belongs.”
“We do need to provide a safe, dignified, state of the art facility for the patients and, of course, for the workers that will work there. But, it’s great news to hear that it is going to stay in the heart of the North Inner City,” she said.
Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald criticised “11 years of complete and utter inaction,” and said that Fine Gael “has finally listened” and abandoned “its flawed plans to move the Rotunda hospital.” “Now that they have confirmed that it will remain at the existing site, we need to see proper investment in the hospital, starting with the speedy delivery of the critical care unit which women and babies urgently need,” she said.
“It is 11 years since Fine Gael announced the flawed co-location plan to move the Rotunda Hospital to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown. Department officials admitted to Sinn Féin Health spokesperson David Cullinane last week that since that time, little to nothing has been done with no plan or finance to deliver. The uncertainty and confusion over this policy has undermined the hospital and set back much needed development, including the critical care unit.
“It is welcome that a new planning application is being submitted which will include critical care facilities for women and an enhanced Sexual Assault Treatment unit. Political clarity from the Minister must be quickly followed by real action and investment. Women and babies can’t be left waiting another 11 years.”
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