The Chairman of the Review Group on the National Children’s Hospital, Dr Frank Dolphin, has announced that, on behalf of the Group, he has presented the Minister for Health Dr James Reilly T.D. with the report of the Group today (Friday 8 June 2012).
The Review Group was established by the Minister following the refusal by An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for the application on the site of the Mater Hospital. The Group was to report within 56 days which was extended by a further 14 days given the workload of the Group and the number of submissions received. The Group received over 30 site offers and met with 21 groups and representative and professional bodies.
Dr Dolphin said that he wanted to acknowledge the work of the members of the group over the last ten weeks.
The Group included:
Mr Simon Clear, Mr Michael Collins, Professor Jonathan Hourihane, Professor B.G.Loftus, Mr John Martin, Professor Clodagh O’Gorman, Ms Louise Shepherd and
Professor Owen Smith as well as Dr Dolphin himself as Chairman .
‘I was privileged to work with a highly motivated team of experts determined that this project should go ahead as quickly as possible. They have given unstintingly of their time, their knowledge and their expertise. It has been an honour to work with them on this project which is of such fundamental importance’ Dr Dolphin said.
The group were also assisted by, The Dept of Health, HSE, National Ambulance Service, and the OPW
Dr Dolphin said that he looked forward to the outcome of the Minister and the Governments consideration of this report.
‘Within our terms of reference our role was not to select a site; that is a matter for the Minister and the Government. With the combined clinical, technical, planning and managerial expertise on the Group, the options available have been thoroughly examined within our terms of reference.
We recognise that this is a hugely important decision and there is a once in a generation opportunity to get it right. I know I speak for all concerned when I say that the Group will be available to brief the Government on any aspects of the report should that be required.
I would like to thank all concerned for their support, time, effort and energy over such a short period of time’