VHI IN CLINICAL MOVE

Sitewatch by: Tommy Barker

A new clinic for minor injuries is opening in Cork’s Mahon, just off the bustling South Ring Road and near the Jack Lynch tunnel, as part of a VHI new initiative.

A VHI SwiftCare Clinic – the health insurer’s fifth – is set to go on call at the €100 million City Gate development being done by John Cleary Developments by the CSO offices at Mahon.

The c 8,000 sq ft clinic is being opened by VHI Healthcare in partnership with Centric health, with Health Minister Mary Harney being lined up for an official  Launch in the coming weeks. The 755 sq metre facility will follow the same model as VHI SwiftCare Cinics in Dundrum, Dublin City University and Swords, and will provide rapid assessment, treatment and advice for patients with a range of minor injuries and illnesses. It joins other early arrivals at City Gate (the one-time Sifco site), which will have up to 3000,000 sq ft of offices and retail, over teo basement parking levels. Quoted retail rents are in the order of €30 psf for shell and core finish, while offices have been letting at €20psf.

Already, the country’s first three established VHI SwiftCare Clinics have treated over 1000,000 patients with an average of 1,100 patients each week visiting the facilities in Dublin City university, Balally/Dundrum and Airside Retail Park Swords.

Typical or “top five” conditions presenting at the initial VHI SwiftCare Clinics are soft tissue injuries, fractures, sprains and strains, respiratory problems and minor cuts. They can be used by all members of the public, not just VHI members, and they aim to treat patients within one hour of arrival.

City Gate was chosen and the location for the first Cork Clinic because of its finish, access to the major road networks, and as a landmark close to the Mahon Point Shopping Centre and Retail Park, say the agents.

The VHI was represented in negotiations by John Hardy of Jones Lang, and City Gate lettings are handled by joint agents CBRE and John Downing, the latter of the newly fledged Cork Downing Commercial. Limerick born Mr Downing opens a new business entity as Downing Commercial later this month, after 30 years in partnership in the broadly-based and highly regarded Cohalan Downing. He is to open new offices across the street from his old base, at 1A South Mall.