Sir, – With estimated costs of €1.7 billion and rising, the National Children’s Hospital (NCH) is well on its way to appearing in the Guinness Book of Records as the most expensive hospital ever built (“Children’s hospital costs: Coalition braced for sharp rise in final bill”, News, November 30th), joining other notable Irish world records: most cups of tea made in one hour, most sausages produced in one minute, largest gathering of people dressed as leprechauns, and the world’s largest tea towel.
Unlike the other Irish records, the NCH’s record is a tragic one because of the protracted length of time it has taken to build this badly needed hospital – as well as the out-of-control costs that have, no doubt, scuppered other badly needed healthcare projects from ever getting off the ground.
Unlike the others, this is a record we should have tried much harder not to win. – Yours, etc,
CHRIS FITZPATRICK,
Dublin 6.