THANKS TO funds bequeathed to the Friends of Wexford General Hospital by the late prominent Wexford businessman Herbert Amon, of The Wool Shop, a new €1.1 million Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit is set to open at Wexford General Hospital next June.

The sod was turned last week on the new state-of-the-art purpose-built unit which will house the hospital’s entire early pregnancy service in one unit and improve the care, dignity and privacy afforded to women in Wexford in the early stages of pregnancy.

The unit will be named after Mr. Amon, who left his life savings to the Friends of Wexford General Hospital so they in turn could help improve healthcare facilities available in his home town.

Better known as Herbie to his friends, the familiar face from The Wool Shop, an institution which welcomed shoppers from far and wide to the South Main Street for many years, was widely praised by the Friends of Wexford General Hospital for his generosity and foresight.

Chairman of the group, Ciaran Sheridan, said: “Herbert was very clear on how he wanted this money used and it is our duty to see that his wishes are honoured.

“He was, I believe, a quiet man, but his foresight will now touch the lives of almost 4,000 patients in the unit every year.”

The construction of the new unit will benefit the local community and economy in a diverse range of ways.

Read more in the Wexford Echo.