Coombe in need of a lift from the HSE

Fears maternity hospital elevators will go up in smoke

- KEN FOXE

A MATERNITY hospital asked the HSE for funding to replace 50-year-old elevators after heavy smoke was reported in their plant room on three separate occasions, it has emerged.

The Coombe in Dublin warned of “serious concerns” about the mysterious incidents and the possibility a fire would shut down operations there.

A report sent to the HSE early this year said it would cost more than €240,000 for the modernisation of three lifts at the hospital or €420,000 (excluding VAT) for their full replacement.

According to records released under FOI, the HSE granted €150,000 in funding to “progress replacement/modernisation of one passenger lift”.