Phase 1 of the redevelopment of National Rehabilitation Hospital was recently completed, commissioned and became operational in June of this year. Phase 1 included the provision of 120 new single bed en-suite rooms, in eight wards on four separate levels. Therapy spaces are provided in the individual wards. Included also are the new Sports Hall and Hydrotherapy facilities and a new entrance to the hospital off Rochestown Avenue.
Phase 2 provides for the relocation of all existing therapies and support facilities to a new modern development, to serve the new 120 bed hospital to minimise patients transferring long distances across the hospital for treatment, thereby maximising therapy impact. The Project Brief and Business Case for Phase 2 of the redevelopment are being currently being progressed and are expected to be finalised in 2020.
It is important to recognise that all capital development proposals must progress through a number of approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, including detailed appraisal, planning, design and procurement before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established. The final decision to proceed with the construction of a project cannot be made until the tender process has been completed and the costings reviewed to ensure that the proposal delivers value for money and remains affordable, and that sufficient funding is available to fund the project to completion, including equipping and commissioning costs.