We are delighted to announce the funding of a new state-of-the-art Primary Care Centre Campus alongside BPI Investments which recently started on site in Birr, County Offaly. This is our latest development project in Ireland and one of three currently on site, with a further two new primary care centres in the immediate pipeline for delivery and other asset management initiatives starting soon too.
The new campus development comprises 50,000 sq.ft of purpose-built healthcare accommodation for the HSE, a 10 partner GP practice, pharmacy and ambulance hub. Assura’s industry-leading net zero carbon design approach is targeting operational net zero carbon for the ambulance hub, which would make it one of the first community healthcare buildings in the country to achieve this status.
The new scheme is a similar size to our Castlebar extension already on site and comes with additional expansion land to house further HSE services that could be commissioned in the future, aligning with Assura’s long term focus on supporting projects that are a key part of the local health infrastructure. The new facility will provide a broad range of HSE services to a large catchment area.
A wide range of local primary care services will be provided by the HSE in the new build including diagnostics, x-ray, physiotherapy, dental, counselling, minor injury treatments, group therapies and community nursing. Mental health, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and paediatric teams will sit alongside elderly care teams, sharing a suite of bookable HSE consulting spaces to ensure there’s flexibility on healthcare service delivery models that can adapt to suit future demand.
Jon Webb, our Development Director – Strategic Projects said:
“We’re excited to be funding yet another high-quality development as we continue to build momentum in Ireland. We’re keen for Birr Primary Care Campus to showcase the difference we can make for the HSE and local stakeholders alike: providing enhanced sustainability and environmental measures are part of our core offering.
The potential to increase the size of the buildings on the campus is very clear. Offering long-term support for HSE in Offaly mirrors the approach we’ve taken on our other Irish primary care centres where we’re re-investing to bring forward additional capacity for the healthcare system. It’s been great to work with BPI’s team and we look forward to seeing completion of this much-needed community facility.”
Joe Byrne of BPI Investments added:
“It’s a relief to have finally started this project after many years of hard work, it’s been a great team effort to get to this stage and we’re looking forward to delivering yet another high-quality primary care centre for the HSE. Working with Assura on the funding has been very straightforward, quick and enjoyable – it’s brilliant to see them taking a long-term view as custodians of this asset and increasing the sustainability credentials as part of their approach.”
Construction has already commenced with local contractor Carroll O’Keeffe & Co appointed and practical completion is due in autumn 2025, ahead of HSE occupation.