Kerry hospital to open in early 2010

A NEW €16 million 68-bed community hospital in Dingle in west Kerry is set to open early next year and replace the existing 43-bed community hospital which has been in existence for more than 100 years.

A HSE South spokesman confirmed that the new hospital is currently being commissioned and is set to open on a phased based next year. The first phase will consist of the transfer of patients from the existing hospital.

“Overall staffing arrangements for the new hospital are currently being finalised in line with similar staffing levels in units currently being commissioned by the HSE in other areas,” the HSE said in a statement.

There are currently 39 staff working at the existing St Elizabeth’s Hospital and these include one doctor, 16 nursing staff, 18 non-medical and support staff as well as a physiotherapist and personnel involved in supplies, administration and chaplaincy.

Meanwhile, some members of the primary care team in Dingle have located to the day care area of the new hospital and a limited number of outpatient clinics including physiotherapy and speech and language therapy are already being provided from the new hospital.

The new hospital, the first of its kind to be built in Co Kerry since the 1950s, has also been designed to accommodate an ambulance base and the Dingle ambulance service has already transferred to the new facility.

The hospital, which is built on land donated by the O’Connor family of Dingle, will consist of two modules providing for continuing care and a third providing a range of community supports, such as convalescent care, respite care and direct GP admissions.

Speaking at a topping out ceremony in June 2008, HSE chief executive Prof Brendan Drumm said the new hospital, which is built on a single level for the convenience of elderly patients, will be a major asset to older people and their families in West Kerry.

“We all know that older people wish to remain in their own homes for as long as is possible and the HSE are continually enhancing services in the community to support their wish,” said Prof Drumm.

“However, if and when someone needs to avail of long-term residential care, their preferred wish and that of their family is that they can do so as close as possible to their own homes, families, friends and neighbours,” he added.