Ahern opens Ireland's newest hospital

[SPDAY]

Ireland's newest hospital, The Hermitage Medical Clinic in Lucan
Co Dublin was officially opened today by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern

The hospital, which was developed at a cost of E130 million, will
also be one of the largest employers in West Dublin, growing from
170 to over 300 employees in the next 12 months

The hospital has the capacity to carry out over 25,000 procedures
annually on day patients and in-patients

It was announced at today's official opening that plans are at an
advanced state for the development and provision of an Accident
and Emergency service from within the hospital

Eamonn Fitzgerald, chief executive of The Hermitage Medical Clinic
said; "Given the fact that over 52pc of the population has Private
Health Insurance and that the Hermitage Medical Clinic is
providing health services on behalf of the state through the
National Treatment Purchase Fund and Health Service Executive, the
Hospital is very well positioned to be a Comprehensive Health Care
provider to all patients on the basis of clinical need rather than
financial means".