Tullamore private hospital still on track

The developers behind a €200 million private hospital in Tullamore have this week insisted that the project is still on track and that they are currently in "extremely sensitive" negotiations with a potential operator. Dominic Doheny, of John Flanagan Developments, refuted national media reports that the half-built hospital, situated alongside the Tullamore bypass, is now an abandoned relic of the Celtic Tiger years. "I can absolutely assure you that it's not abandoned," he said to the Offaly Independent yesterday (Thursday). He said that JFD were still 100% committed to the hospital and is currently in negotiations with a European company, but that discussions were lengthy, complicated, and by their nature, private. "Things are moving at a high level, there's a lot of jobs at stake," he added. "The model has not changed in any way." He added that with the new bypass now open and the nearby location of Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore, the private hospital is in the ideal spot for a potential operator. The ambitious project sustained a setback when preferred bidder the Mater Private Hospital withdrew from negotiations to operate the hospital in early 2008. Since then JFD has been in negotiations with other potential partners. The hospital is part of a planned private Wellwood Healthcare Park on a 22-acre site and is due to employ 300 people at its peak. It's envisaged that Wellwood will become a leading centre for medical treatment, education and research and development. The first phase, which has already commenced, comprises a state-of-the-art 70 bed private hospital. It is planned that Phase II will comprise a number of additional healthcare services including a Hospice, high quality nursing home/step down unit and independent living accommodation. Phase III comprises education and research and development.