THE BEACON private hospital group is creating 46 new jobs in an expansion of orthopaedic and oncology services at its Dublin base.

The company also intends laying off 11 administrative staff over the next few weeks, meaning there will be an increase of 35 in the numbers employed at the Sandyford hospital.

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Centres (UPMC)-controlled Beacon has recently tendered for a 31-bed extension to its orthopaedic facility.

It is also advertising for nurses and other frontline professionals to staff the facility, which it intends to open on July 1st.

The company is also recruiting nurses to work in its oncology department, which it is also expanding, and recently advertised for those staff.

UPMC bought a majority stake in the business last year. It paid €25 million for a two-thirds share in the Beacon Medical Group, which owns the hospital, and pledged to spend €45 million on developing and expanding the hospital itself.

UPMC’s investment allowed the group to restructure its debts and guarantee financial stability.