The sod has been turned for a new €13.5m specialist hospice facility for the Cavan and Monaghan region.
St Christopher's Hospice on the outskirts of Cavan town is set to undergo a major expansion and refurbishment.
The new development will include a 16-bed inpatient unit to cater for patients requiring specialist palliative and end-of-life care.
It will also include a palliative care hub consisting of an outpatient facility with rapid access diagnostic and management capacity, a specialist day hospital and a specialist treatment unit with capacity for infusions, transfusions, and a lymphedema service.
Also included in the development are a physical therapies unit with capacity for prehabilitation and rehabilitation and a creative therapies unit including art, music, creative and complimentary therapies.
Construction is expected to begin this month with the building works expected to take 18-24 months.
The redevelopment will cost a total of €13.5m.
The local community has contributed a four-acre site which was originally donated by the Loreto Order of Nuns for the building of the existing hospice from entirely voluntary fundraising.
St Christopher's Hospice is currently operated under a lease agreement by the HSE as a Level 2 hospice and also provides inpatient care to ten patients with advanced neurological conditions.
The HSE has said that the previous money donated along with a further €2m that was recently made available by the local community is a "significant contribution" for the redevelopment of the facility.
A spokesperson for the HSE added that the "solid commitment by the community towards St Christopher's for the past 38 years is a testament to the public's connection with this charity".
The HSE in partnership with the Board of St Christopher's Hospice have confirmed that the tender for the development has been awarded to local construction company, McCabe Group.
Head of Primary Care, Community Services with the HSE in the region, Mandy Doyle, said the facility will make a huge difference to those in need of palliative care in Cavan and Monaghan.
She said: "This hospice will facilitate earlier discharge from acute hospital and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions at end of life.
"It will be run by the HSE and integrated with HSE community specialist palliative care teams in place."
Chairperson of St Christopher's Hospice Jim Lalor said: "This is an important stage in the development of this new hospice inpatient unit for the communities of both Cavan and Monaghan. It will provide vital palliative care for patients and support services for their families."
The sod for the new specialist hospice facility was turned this morning by Tánaiste Simon Harris and local TD Niamh Smyth, who is a Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Speaking at the event, Mr Harris said: "I am delighted to officiate at this sod turning for the redevelopment of St Christopher's Hospice.
"This hospice will provide much needed palliative care services to the communities of Cavan and Monaghan. It is an excellent example of what can be achieved when communities, the HSE and the government work together towards a common goal."
