FIANNA Fáil TD for Kerry, John Brassil, has said the overcrowding crisis in hospitals around the country is only going to get worse until extra bed capacity is made available and University Hospital Kerry is being left behind with regard to funding.

Deputy Brassil said he was disappointed that University Hospital Kerry (UHK) has been overlooked by the HSE in its recently published National Service Plan 2020. The plan which was released shortly before Christmas announced an additional 6.3% in funding.

The budget set for 2020 is up €1 billion to €17.4 billion however the plan includes no mention of University Hospital Kerry and no additional funding for the hospital.

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He said; “Time and again we see that the worst hit hospitals, when it comes to the trolley crisis, are all outside of Dublin. Limerick, Cork and South Tipperary hospitals are continuously placed among the worst hit, they are bursting at the seams and this is having a knock-on effect on UHK.

“Yet while all the major hospitals in the South South-West Hospital Group have received project funding under the service plan, UHK has been skipped over. It’s clear as day to see the Government place absolutely no emphasis on UHK and are immune to the pressures on the overcrowded ED and on hard working staff.”

“The HSE itself recognised the opportunity for additional beds in 2016, it’s National Bed Review identified 33 additional beds available in UHK, however none of these beds have been opened as funding is required to refurbish wards and hire additional staff and this was not provided for in the Plan.

“How much longer are the people of Kerry going to have to wait for their health needs to be taken seriously by this Government?” he concluded.