About the Hospital
Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise (MRHP) serves a catchment area of Laois, Kildare, Carlow, Offaly and North Tipperary areas with a rapidly growing population. It is located within walking distance of Portlaoise town centre. MRHP is easily accessed as it is situated off the main N7 national motor way.
MRHP has currently 171 patient beds which include 69 inpatient beds including medical, surgical, obstetrics, paediatric and critical care beds, These are supported by 19 day beds, 10 AMAU/ASAU and 3 Maternity Assessment Unit beds.
MRHP is a model 3 hospital offering acute care including 24-hour Emergency Department service (ED), 24-hour Maternity Assessment Unit and a range of inpatient and outpatient General Medical, Respiratory, Surgical, Gastroenterology, Urology, Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Paediatric, Special Care Baby Unit, Critical Care Unit, Transitional Care unit and Endoscopy services.
A dedicated Department of Psychiatry unit is located on the hospital campus servicing Laois/Offaly with a maximum occupancy of 46 psychiatric beds, supporting multidisciplinary care.
MRHP is designated training campus through an academic partnership with Trinity College Dublin (TCH), one of Ireland’s leading universities. Access to under and post graduate education is available through links with TCH. There is dedicated library onsite to support this learning.
Clinical Services in Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise
Consultant & Outpatient Services
- Consultant led outpatient clinics, with additional Ophthalmology, Urology, Haematology and Pathology services delivered through visiting consultants linked with St James’s Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital, and Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore.
Diagnostics
- Diagnostic and interventional radiology
- Pregnancy related dating and anatomy ultrasound scanning
- Cardiac diagnostics and cardiac rehabilitation programmes
- Full laboratory medicine services
Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs)
ANPs providing enhanced, specialist-led care in:
- Diabetes (Adult & Paediatrics)
- Respiratory (Adult & Paediatrics)
- Frailty & Older Persons
- Emergency Care (Adult & Paediatrics)
- Neurodisability (Paediatrics)
- Adult Dementia
- Tissue Viability
- Cardiology Integrated Care
- Neurology
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS)
CNS cover the following specialty areas:
- Diabetes
- Respiratory Care
- Cardiology
- Infection Control
- Palliative Care
- Tissue Viability
- Dementia Care
- Ophthalmology
- Pre operative assessment
- Paediatric Allergy
- COPD Outreach
- Acute Paediatric Link Nurse
- Cardiac Rehabilitation
Midwifery Services
- Clinical Midwife Specialists (Infant feeding, Gestational diabetes, Bereavement & Loss)
- Advanced Midwifery Practitioners (Supported Care Pathway, Unscheduled Care)
- Midwifery led clinics (hospital & community)
- Parentcraft and Antenatal Education classes
- Special Care Baby Unit
- Ambulatory Gynaecology
Therapies & Support Services
- Dietetics
- Physiotherapy
- Pharmacy
- Speech & Language Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Palliative Care service
- Social Work service
Additional Specialist Services
- STI and PrEP (Pre Exposure Prophylaxis) service
- Paediatric Allergy Clinic
- Virtual Trauma Orthopaedic Clinic
- COPD Outreach service
Transitional Care Service
- Intermediary care for patients requiring extra recovery before home or long-term care in Abbeyleix hospital starting with 11 beds and expanding to 18.
- Reduces pressure on acute beds, improves throughput, and decreases emergency department boarding, reduces readmissions and enhancing patient experience.
- Supports integrated care pathways, strengthens community collaboration, and meets regional demand driven by ageing and chronic disease
Maternity and Gynaecology Service Developments
MRHP Maternity and Gynaecology services continue to evolve in line with national best practice, expanding the choices, supports and clinical excellence available to women and families.
Enhanced Gynaecology Services
- Ambulatory Gynaecology Treatment Room provides timely assessment and treatment in line with the NIWHP Model of Care, allowing many procedures to be completed safely without the need for hospital admission.
- Expansion of Ambulatory Gynaecology (August 2022) strengthens access to modern, patient centred gynaecology services.
Innovative Maternity Care Options
- Home from Home Birthing Room offers a calm, supportive environment enabling women with greater choice and the opportunity for a natural, physiological birth.
- Midwifery Led Clinics (Hospital & Community) in line with the National Maternity Strategy (2016), promoting integrated, personalised maternity care close to home.
- Advanced Midwife Practitioners support both the Supported Care Pathway and Unscheduled Care, providing timely, evidence based care aligned with the National Maternity Strategy (2016) and Sláintecare (2017).
Education, Support & Empowerment
- Parentcraft Education preparing women and families for birth and early parenthood, building confidence through practical, supportive antenatal education.
- “Labour Hopscotch” Initiative a visual, step by step guide encouraging women to remain active and mobile during labour to support normal birth.
Digital Innovation & Clinical Safety
- IntelliSpace Perinatal System enables centralised monitoring of cardiotocographs (CTGs) by the multidisciplinary team, with remote access for Consultant Obstetricians to support continuity and safety of care.
Specialist Care & Women’s Health Supports
- Midwife/Nurse Specialist in Lactation & Infant Feeding providing specialised laser and ultrasound treatment for complex breastfeeding challenges, ensuring early and effective support.
- Perinatal Mental Health Service delivered by a Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist and a Clinical Midwife Specialist, offering mental health support from the first booking visit through to one year after birth.
Consultant Led Service Developments
- Additional Consultant Posts in Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Fetal Medicine Strengthening expertise, capacity and access to specialist care for women and babies.
Recent Developments at Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise
Emergency Department (ED) Extension
- Two-storey extension increases emergency care capacity and improves patient flow to reduce overcrowding and wait times.
- A separate pediatric emergency department enhances infection control and patient experience by streamlining triage and reducing congestion.
- Support future service expansions and align with national healthcare safety and quality standards.
- Enhanced clinical staff workspaces foster efficient multidisciplinary collaboration and care delivery.
New Car Park Extension
- Expansion of parking capacity to reduce congestion and improve accessibility across the campus for patients, visitors and staff.
- Extension supports operational growth and service expansions by aligning infrastructure with activity increases.
On Call Accommodation Development
- Development of 9 single occupancy on call bedrooms located close to the hospital to support the expanding clinical services and ensure timely staff availability.
- High-quality on-call accommodation enhances roster flexibility, surge planning, and rapid clinical team mobilisation during major incidents.Fire Safety Upgrade Works
Fire Safety Upgrade Works
- Passive and active fire-resistant improvements to reduce organizational risk, meet accreditation standards, and integrate modern technology for reliability.
About Portlaoise and County Laois
Portlaoise is the vibrant commercial centre of County Laois and the Midlands’ most populated town, home to 23,494 residents and located on the main Dublin–Cork rail line, offering fast nationwide travel. Excellent access to the M7/M8 motorways further connects the town to Dublin, Kilkenny, Limerick and Cork, making it an ideal base for commuters and businesses.
Surrounded by scenic farmland and heritage attractions such as the Rock of Dunamase, Portlaoise provides a welcoming environment for families and professionals, supported by strong education options including the nationally accredited Portlaoise Institute. A progressive local authority and active Town Team continue to drive regeneration, sustainability and public realm enhancements, while growing industries, enterprise parks and innovation hubs strengthens Portlaoise position as an exciting place to live, work and thrive.
Living in Portlaoise
Relocating to Portlaoise is a positive step for families seeking a welcoming, well connected community with a strong quality of life. The town has grown significantly over the past two decades and is known for its openness to newcomers, encouraging residents to become involved in local life.
Portlaoise hosts a variety of cultural festivals, sports events, and community activities that reflect its diverse and inclusive population. A wide range of community groups, sports clubs, and recreational organisations creates opportunities for new residents to build friendships and integrate quickly into the area.
Employment opportunities are strong and diverse. Major employers in the area include Department of Agriculture, local government services, utilities (ESB, Eir, An Post), education providers, and the Health Service Executive.
The town’s manufacturing sector has expanded, particularly within the J17 National Enterprise Park, which accommodates businesses in advanced manufacturing, engineering, logistics and green technologies. Portlaoise also benefits from The Cube Innovation Centre, a dedicated hub supporting entrepreneurship, education, and sustainable economic growth.
This enhances Portlaoise as a dynamic and supportive place to live, work, and build a future offering excellent opportunities for both professionals and their families. It is also a desirable residential destination. Housing supply is growing to meet demand, with the average home price in 2025 at approximately €270,000, and new developments regularly listed on MyHome.ie and Daft.ie.