Drogheda Action Group - The Idea
In the coming weeks the HSE is due to decide on the location of the planned new regional hospital for the north-east serving the counties of Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan and North Fingal.
Unless the HSE decides to locate the regional hospital in Drogheda it will result in the loss of many jobs and a lot of business and investment in the town as Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital would be significantly downgraded.
Drogheda Chamber has launched a campaign to promote the town of Drogheda as the best location for the site of the planned new regional hospital for the people of the north-east.
The town's proposition is built on four key factors vital to the successful establishment of a regional hospital, namely:
Expertise
- Through Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, the town has been the location of a major acute hospital serving Louth, Meath and North Dublin for over 60 years.
- There is a ready supply of healthcare professionals and related services operating in and around the town that would facilitate the speedy establishment of a new regional hospital.
Access
- The town of Drogheda is home to over 30,000 people and is 30 minutes drive for over 250,000 people and under a 1 hour drive for over 450,000 people.
- The town is served by a rapidly developing regional road network including the M1 and N2 and is on the mainline rail network and has plans for a new station north of the town.
- Drogheda is a major seaport and only 30 minutes drive from Dublin Airport.
Support Services
- The location of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in the town for over 60 years has resulted in a vital network of support services both medical and non-medical, essential to the smooth operation of a major hospital.
Social Infrastructure
- Drogheda is the largest Primary Development Area in the Greater Dublin Area and through investment has benefi ted from the opening of numerous new retail and leisure facilities.
- Drogheda offers a very progressive and pleasant environment for the people who will be attending, visiting and working in the new regional hospital.
Drogheda is one of the largest and fastest growing towns in Ireland, situated on opposing banks of the river Boyne, the town of Drogheda has long been a trade and cultural centre for the North East Leinster region. 