Minister for Health Dr. James Reilly TD, has announced an independent review of the project to build the new National Children’s Hospital on the site of the Mater Hospital in Dublin.
A financial analysis will be carried out under the auspices of the European Health Property Network (EUPHN) followed by a clinical review which will be carried out using the information gathered by the financial analysis.
Architect Mr. John Cooper, has been nominated by EUPHN to conduct the financial analysis the terms of reference of which according to the Department are “to examine and independently verify the estimated cost differentials identified in relation to building, equipping and running the proposed National Paediatric Hospital (a) if constructed on the site currently proposed and (b) if constructed to the same specification on notional alternative sites”.
In conducting the clinical review Mr. Cooper will work in conjunction with 4 international experts, who serve as CEOs of Children’s hospitals and will are drawn from the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI) and the Children’s Hospitals International Executive Forum (CHIEF).
The terms of reference for the clinical review include: to examine whether the potential clinical benefits, if any, of locating a children’s hospital beside the adult hospital on the Mater site outweigh any cost differential or any design issues, including access to the hospital and to submit a final report to the Minister for Health, with any recommendations as considered appropriate, within four weeks of the commencement of the clinical review.