Letterkenny University Hospital’s Emergency department and medical block is set to undergo remedial fire proofing works later this year amid fire safety concerns.
It is believed that the need to revise the fireproofing in the €24 million building does not relate to external cladding issues; as was the case for Grenfell Tower fire in which 79 people perished.
As the building has “significant fire protection measures”, the risk is said to be low. A design team appointed by the HSE will investigate fully.
A spokesperson said; “The HSE can confirm that there are minor remedial fire proofing works to be carried out at the Medical block at Letterkenny University Hospital.
“HSE Estates are in the process of appointing a Design Team to fully scope these works. This building has a modern fire alarm detection system and significant fire protection measures therefore the risk has been identified as low.
“It is intended, following a review by the appointed design team, to systematically review each of the three medical wards with a view to carrying out the works in the latter part of the current year.
The three medical wards hold 24 beds each, with 16 of those being single en-suite rooms.
“HSE Estates in consultation with the Design Team, Hospital and Infection Control Specialists will consider, once the extent of the works are properly scoped, the optimum method of carrying out the remedial work.”
It is predicted that rolling ward closures will occur to facilitate the works which will begin later this year.
The spokesperson concluded by saying that “any disruption to the patients and hospital will be kept to a minimum.”
The total cost of the work has not yet been revealed.
The €24 million building only opened four years ago; however has already had several problems, including two floods. The first flood occurred in July 2013, when a drain burst its banks during a flash flood and cost €30 million to fix. The second flood occurred the following year, and caused the Emergency department to close for 3 hours.
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