Pa Daly
Question:126. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health her plans to reduce bed days lost in University Hospital Kerry. [28492/26]
View answerTuesday, 21 April 2026
Questions (126)
Written answers
On 18 of April, there were 23 instances of Delayed Transfers of Care in University Hospital Kerry. Of these, eleven were awaiting transfer to residential care. Other instances were due to individual circumstances, including complex care needs, legal complexity and non-compliance cases.
The Government is committed to continued investment in healthcare infrastructure to support the highest quality care for our older population and its projected requirements in the South West region.
The Community Nursing Unit programme is a major capital infrastructure project which plans for the refurbishment of up to 90 of our public CNUs and Community Hospitals. The programme includes the delivery of a 130-bed Community Nursing Unit in Killarney, Co. Kerry. The application for the registration of the CNU has been submitted to HIQA and the HSE South West is actively engaging with them to facilitate its opening as soon as possible. Once HIQA registration is secured, the new unit will open on a phased basis with a planned transfer of residents from St. Columbanus and the District Hospital to the new building.
Older Persons Services in the South West will further be enhanced by the opening of two new CNUs in Cork in 2026. St. Finbarr’s in Cork City will have a total of 105-beds and Midleton CNU will have a total of 50-beds.
Bed days lost within the hospital may arise when people are medically fit to leave hospital, but other factors prevent the transfer of their care. These delayed transfers of care can arise from varied factors, including availability of care in the community. Hospitals work closely with patients and their families to ensure their care is progressed in the most appropriate setting.
Questions Nos. 127 to 129, inclusive, answered orally.