Mercy University Hospital Foundation Secure Location for Cancer CARE Centre

The Mercy University Hospital Foundation is delighted to announce the acquisition of a new premises for its development of a dedicated Cancer CARE Centre. Permission has been granted by Cork City Council to the Mercy University Hospital Foundation to use the existing building as a Cancer CARE Centre which will support the needs of cancer patients and their families dealing with the trauma of a cancer diagnosis.

The building, which is located at number 9 Dyke Parade and a minutes walk away from both the main hospital and the Outpatient Department, will be transformed into a non-clinical facility to provide a quiet and safe place for patients and families to access an increasingly necessary range of services to support those affected by a cancer diagnosis. 

The establishment of a dedicated Cancer CARE Centre has been a long-term objective of the Mercy University Hospital Foundation, and following a number of setbacks over the past number of years, securing a suitable building in close proximity to the Mercy University Hospital is a huge step forward. In January of 2018, the Mercy University Foundation was granted planning approval by Cork City Council for a Cancer CARE Centre on Woods Street, but this was overturned following an appeal to An Bord Pleanála by a local property owner.

Following the setbacks, the Mercy University Hospital Foundation continued to drive forward in their quest to secure a suitable premises for this much-needed service for the people of Cork and further afield affected by cancer. The Mercy University Hospital Foundation received a huge amount of support from donors backing their plans and to date, €1.2 million has been raised.

Commenting on the acquisition, Mícheál Sheridan, CEO of the Mercy University Hospital Foundation said, “Creating a dedicated Cancer CARE Centre has been a long term plan of the Mercy University Hospital Foundation and we are delighted to have secured a suitable building to progress to the next stage. Unfortunately, we faced a number of obstacles along the way but we never lost determination as we know how important it is to be able to provide the patients of the Mercy University Hospital with a service like this. I would like to thank everyone who has supported our fundraising efforts to date as without their help, none of this would be possible.”

While planning permission has already been granted by Cork City Council to use the existing 3,000 sq ft building as a Cancer CARE Centre, the site offers greater opportunities to develop the centre even further. The design phase of the site will begin in August and subject to this, the Mercy University Hospital Foundation will launch a capital fundraising campaign to complete the project and use the site as best as they can, offering the best possible care. Once complete, the centre will enable the 

staff at The Mercy to not only treat people physically but emotionally and psychologically as well, which is critical at this very challenging time.

For more information on the Mercy Cancer CARE Centre visit www.mercyfundraising.ie