Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
93. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when more beds will open at West Kerry Community Hospital, Dingle; the up-to-date position in relation to the recruitment of additional nursing staff and healthcare assistants; if he will provide the staffing figures at present at the hospital; the way that this compares to the figures at the beginning of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37508/22]
View answerWest Kerry Community Hospital provides important and valued services for people in the area. However, similar to other hospitals in remote locations, staff recruitment challenges have unfortunately had an impact on bed capacity. Cork Kerry Community Healthcare continues to endeavour to recruit staff in order to increase the number of community beds for the region and maximise the services available. The goal is to ensure that the maximum number of people that can be safely accommodated in our community hospitals are being accommodated. I can assure the Deputy that all efforts are being made to increase both staff numbers and bed capacity in West Kerry.
In terms of the current complement of staff in West Kerry, there are a total of 15.7 Whole-time Equivalent nursing staff, 21.8 Whole-time Equivalent Healthcare Assistants and 11.8 Whole-time Equivalent Other staff. At the beginning of 2022 there were 12.5 Whole-time Equivalent nursing staff, 20.8 Whole-time Equivalent Healthcare Assistants and 8 Whole-time Equivalent Other staff.
In terms of recruitment of staff, one Registered General Nurse commenced employment in May, one has returned part-time, two are due to start this month, while another is in the recruitment clearance process. In terms of Healthcare Assistants, one began employment in February; another in March, and two more were interviewed in May and have been placed on a panel.
