18 October 2017
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
The extension was finished in August 2017, and it was expected that it would be opened for patients in early September
Cork South West TD, Margaret Murphy O’Mahony has raised the delays in officially opening the new extension at Bandon Community Hospital with the Minister for Health, Simon Harris and the Director General of the HSE, Tony O’Brien at a meeting of the Oireachtas Health Committee today.
Cork South West TD, Margaret Murphy O’Mahony
“The delay in opening up this much needed extension is having a detrimental impact on the ability of the hospital to provide care, including respite, for the Bandon and greater West Cork areas.
“I’ve been informed by members of the Friends of Bandon Hospital Group that there are negotiations ongoing between the HSE and unions representing staff.
“It’s important that these negotiations conclude as quickly as possible to ensure that additional capacity, including respite care, is again made available as soon as possible.
“The Minister has asked the HSE Director General to come back to me as quickly as possible with an update on the extension.
“I impressed upon both that this extension needs to be opened as quickly as possible to ensure that there is additional bed capacity in the hospital. In addition, there has been no respite care available at the hospital for a number of months.
“Patients and their families need to have this extension opened as quickly as possible. It’s unfair on carers who are struggling to support their loved ones without access to regular respite support.
“I am calling on the HSE and the unions to reach agreement as quickly as possible to ensure that the hospital extension is opened,” concluded Murphy O’Mahony.
