Heart and kidney patients in Cork are set to benefit from improved services, the general manager of Cork University Hospital (CUH) said today.
Tony McNamara was announcing the start of work on a €80.3 million cardiac and renal unit - part of the development programme for CUH services.
"This cardiac/renal unit will provide for the ever-expanding need for these services in the region. The development was planned in co-operation with patient interest groups and will result in greatly enhanced care for all cardiac and renal patients who receive treatment in CUH," Mr McNamara said.
The new unit, due for completion in 2010, includes 141 inpatient beds and 35 kidney dialysis places. Ten places will also be available in a new catheterisation laboratory.
Among the cardiac services will be in-patient, out-patient and step-down facilities including a coronary care unit and a non-invasive cardiology unit. Some 30 ward beds will also be provided in the renal services unit along with a improved treatment, counselling, and training services.