University Hospital Kerry has received approval to recruit 185 new staff while an application for 108 additional beds has also been sanctioned.
The information was provided by Health Minister, Jennifer Carroll McNeill in response to a parliamentary question from Kerry TD Michael Cahill.
39 of the additional beds will be provided in 2026 with capital funding for a further 69.
In general surgery, permanent consultant posts have been increased from by one to four and a permanent consultant urologist was employed in 2024.
Plans for a new oncology and haematology unit are at design stage, a new maternity unit is at a re-appraisal stage while a sixth operating theatre is at capital submission stage.
New office accommodation has been sourced in the Rathass building and is now operational.
“This background context would seem to confirm that there are no plans to divert any elective surgery from University Hospital Kerry. I look forward to a significant increase in both bed and staff numbers,” stated Deputy Cahill.
“Your health is your wealth and I am determined that with proper additional infrastructure and staffing, that we can all be proud of and confident in our county hospital here in Kerry,” he added.
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