HSE progressing capital developments across counties Waterford and Wexford

The South East sub-committee of the HSE’s Regional Health Forum South had its first meeting of 2025 this week, where members heard updates from HSE management on a number of capital projects in the Waterford/Wexford area.

Speaking about the presentation given to the meeting by the HSE’s Estates Dept., Sinéad Reynolds (Integrated Healthcare Area Manager for Waterford/Wexford in the HSE’s Dublin and South East region) said:

“There are various projects across hospital and community healthcare services that are being progressed, according as to various necessary steps in processes are established. These include design, confirmation of accommodation schedules, availability or suitability of a site, tender for construction, funding approval and other consultations and considerations. We will be updating public representatives and media as they are advanced.”

“What we have outlined for members of the Forum represents a comprehensive range of services in which the HSE is investing, to the benefit of those we serve and of my colleagues in the various disciplines and support services in question.”   

Among projects currently being progressed in the Waterford/Wexford Integrated Healthcare Area are:

Acute Hospitals and Ambulance Services:

• Phase 1 of the Surgical Hub construction project at University Hospital Waterford (UHW)  is under way, with phases 2, 3 and 4 due for completion by the middle of 2026.
• A design team has been appointed for the construction of a new 96 bed inpatient block at UHW. The project will include a linking corridor to the existing hospital buildings.
• Work is ongoing on an extension building at UHW for additional laboratory facilities.
• A new development control plan for the UHW complex is being prepared.
• Work on a new, permanent MRI suite is under way at Wexford General Hospital (WGH). A 13 month programme is due for completion (handover from the Contractor) early in 2026, with an equipping and commissioning phase to follow before full operation.
• The construction of a Multi Storey Car Park and enabling works for the new 97 bed Somerton Wing has commenced at WGH. The seven level car park is due for completion by year end, providing 365 places overall, thus maximising the capacity on this area of the site and to facilitate the full development of the Somerton Wing. Following a subsequent, planned 22 month programme of construction, it is envisaged for completion and full occupation of the wing at the turn of the 2027/28 year.
• A design team is working on a refurbishment programme for the Old County Hospital/Lakin Wing on the grounds of WGH, inclusive of provision of office space for 45 work stations.
• Work is continuing at WGH on recovery works from the 2023 fire at the hospital, with availability of additional beds as each phase is completed over the next 18 months.
• The final phase of a new Endoscopy and Minor procedures facility in Ely Hospital, Wexford is due for completion later this year.

Community Healthcare Services:

• Work will be completed shortly on a new HSE Audiology, Orthodontic an Ophthalmology Integrated Healthcare Hub Centre in Waterford. Facilitated by the renovation of disused ward blocks at St. Otteran’s Hospital, the ground floor will feature an Audiology Unit with testing booths, treatment areas and staff facilities. An Orthodontic Unit will feature on the first floor, inclusive of treatment areas, Radiology, Decontamination Unit, offices and staff facilities. The Ophthalmology Unit will be housed across two floors and will include consultation rooms and offices which are accessed separately. The Hub will facilitate outpatient appointments across all three Consultant led disciplines, which to date took place in University Hospital Waterford.
• Phased works, inclusive of roof replacements and internal renovation, are planned (subject to securing of capital funding) for the main building at St. Otteran’s Hospital in Waterford. When completed, it will allow for significant space to become available for accommodation of various HSE acute hospital and community healthcare related clinical care, treatment, therapy and other support services.   
• Plans are being progressed for the development of a new Primary Care Centre in Lismore, Co. Waterford.
• Refurbishments have been carried out at Dungarvan Community Hospital for the accommodation of Community Health Network teams, with a further phase due for completion later this year.
• Construction was completed in Dungarvan late last year of the “Seabreeze” residential care centre for those with enduring mental health conditions. A state of the art 12 bed single storey facility on the Youghal Rd. Seabreeze replaces accommodation previously located at Springmount House on the Dungarvan Community Hospital complex and became operational in November.
• Following the project’s inclusion in the HSE Capital Plan, a design brief is being prepared regarding development of a new Residential Care Centre onsite to replace the existing Dungarvan Community Hospital.