Lapland Central Hospital to undergo renovation worth EUR 72 million

The European Investment Bank will provide financing in the form of a loan

On 7 October, the European Investment Bank (EIB) revealed that it has signed a loan agreement with the Lapland Hospital District (LSHP) in Northern Finland. The agreement states that the EIB will provide EUR 72 million for the modernisation and extension of the Central Hospital in Rovaniemi.

A major overhaul of current facilities

The EUR 72 million loan will help realise the extension of the current Central Hospital building. The current plans envision the creation of a new wing that will provide space for new rooms where medical staff can carry out diagnostics and treatment. In addition to this, the Central Hospital will also see the renovation of its 4 existing operating theatres and the intensive care department.

At the moment, the hospital is linked to a psychiatric clinic located in a former tuberculosis clinic. EIB reports that the space it is currently located in is larger-than-needed and 30 kilometres away from the hospital’s central building.

With the changes in space requirements, modern design standards, and legal obligations, this clinic will now need to be reformed. It follows then that the loan will also finance the construction of a new psychiatric clinic which will be linked to the main building.

Finally, the EUR 72 million will further help realise the establishment of a multi-storey car park which will improve accessibility.

Putting patients first

The EIB explains that the current condition of the Central Hospital in Rovaniemi warranted such an investment. According to the bank, the hospital must be well-equipped to treat patients and address the consequences of COVID. EIB Vice-President Thomas Östros discussed the significance of this, noting:

“Even before the ongoing healthcare emergency, supporting hospitals was a priority for the EIB, which has culminated in this loan to the Lapland Central Hospital. Comfort and accessibility for patients, as well as efficiency in terms of energy consumption and working environment for staff can definitely go hand-in-hand — as this project proves — and we are happy to support it.”

View the design plans for the Lapland Central Hospital in the gallery above.