All permanent staff have now relocated to new Dept HQ

In August the <strong><em>Medical Independent</em></strong> (<strong><em>MI</em></strong>) reported that approximately 25 Department staff had remained in Hawkins House after over 400 other staff had completed the move.

However, in recent weeks the final remaining full-time staff have moved, leaving only a small number of “outside contracted experts” in Hawkins House.

A Department spokesperson added that some full-time staff, who have moved to the new building, still return to Hawkins House regularly to deal with the “decommissioning” of the building.

“The Department is in the process of decommissioning equipment, etc, from Hawkins House and expects this to be completed before the end of the year,” the Department’s spokesperson told <strong><em>MI</em></strong>.

“The permanent staff of the Department have now all relocated. 

“A small number of outside contracted experts working on specific projects will be vacating the premises in the coming weeks. 

“Some staff of the Department whose HQ is in Miesian Plaza are also working in Hawkins House regularly in the context of decommissioning the building.”

The spokesperson added that staff parking facilities were “working well” at the new HQ.

The Department is awaiting final costings for the move from the Office of Public Works (OPW).

The OPW had not provided any figures for costings of the move to this newspaper before our deadline.