A Northern Irish private healthcare firm have bought St Joseph’s Private Hospital in Sligo town, securing 60 jobs and potentially generating more.
3fivetwo are the largest private healthcare firm in the North, but this is their first hospital acquisition south of the border.
A deal to buy the 19-bed St Joseph’s Hospital is in the final stages. Once completed, St Joseph’s will be rebranded as Kingsbridge Private Hospital Sligo, in line with the company’s other hospitals in Northern Ireland.
The deal secures all 60 jobs at the hospital, and the Northern Irish firm has said it is aiming to create new roles in the future. They have already said that they intend to invest significant money in the hospital, to expand and develop services in the years ahead.
The future of St Joseph’s Hospital, located at Gardenhill, Sligo, was in jeopardy after Mount Carmel Medical Group went into liquidation last year. Back in 2012 there were also major concerns that it would close, after medical consultants employed in the hospital were asked to invest in it to safeguard its future.
Mount Carmel’s properties were taken over by NAMA and they asked the HSE if they would like to take over the running of St Joseph’s, which they turned down.
However, the news of this takeover by 3fivetwo will be welcomed by staff. 3Fivetwo recorded a turnover of more than £40 million (€51 million) in its last set of published accounts. It employs 240 staff with an additional 400 consultants and 300 nursing staff.
“It’s a multi-million pound investment, not in the purchase alone but in the expansion and development of services in the years ahead,” said Mark Regan, 3fivetwo group development director.
“In addition to obvious benefits for patients, the securing of hundreds of jobs at KPH Sligo and peripheral suppliers is priceless.”
St Joseph's Hospital, Sligo, is sold to Northern Irish firm,
