THE Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD has announced an additional 580 beds for the South West healthcare region under the new Acute Hospital Inpatient Bed Capacity Expansion Plan.

This includes 108 new beds in University Hospital Kerry. The plan has been introduced in response to the ongoing Health Service Capacity Review and aims to bring the number of beds in HSE South West from 2.1 per 100,000 people to 2.6.

The plan includes:

• 342 new beds in Cork University Hospital
• 108 new beds in University Hospital Kerry
• 82 new beds in Mercy University Hospital
• 24 new beds in Mallow General Hospital
• 24 new beds in Bantry General Hospital

Continued below…

]Minister Donnelly said: “I am delighted to be announcing this significant expansion of hospital beds across four hospitals in the South West region.

“This investment recognises that our growing and ageing population are placing more demands on our healthcare services and I am determined to drive forward with expansion that ensures people have access to the right care in the right place at the right time.”

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..