John O'Leary
Ceist:10 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position regarding the proposed extension to the Kenmare District Hospital, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kenmare (Kerry) Hospital Extension.
John O'Leary
Ceist:138 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Health the present position regarding the proposed extension to the Kenmare District Hospital, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement giving the estimated cost of the project.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 138 together. I am advised by the Southern Health Board that Kenmare District Hospital, which serves a catchment area of approximately 6,000 people has a complement of 26 beds. Long-stay accommodation is not provided in the hospital. Patients from the catchment area, who require long-stay accommodation are admitted to St. Columbanus Home, Killarney.
There was a proposal in the late 1970s to provide a ten bed extension to Kenmare District Hospital to accommodate long-stay patients from the area at an estimated cost of £275,000. However, this project did not proceed.
Recent developments in Kenmare District Hospital have included the provision of two day rooms, which were provided by the Friends of Kenmare District Hospital at a cost of £25,000 which was obtained through local fund raising. The Kerry Hospice Foundation has also donated funds to upgrade one of the bedrooms in the hospital for very ill patients. The Southern Health Board is satisfied that good use is being made of the existing facilities at Kenmare District Hospital and it is not considered that there is a need for an extension to the hospital at this time.
The board will shortly be formulating a plan, for the future development of community care and a plan for the development of district hospitals and the role of Kenmare and other district hospitals will be formally looked at in this context.