A PLANNED extension at Bantry General Hospital for 24 additional inpatient beds is already under way amid major concerns about the lack of hospital beds and care home places for West Cork’s elders.

Cllr Danny Collins called on the HSE to explore plans for extensions at Castletownbere, Schull, Skibbereen and Bantry Hospital’s St Joseph’s unit to cater for more residents at last week’s meeting of the HSE Regional Health Forum South West.

The Bantry-based Councillor pointed out that West Cork badly needs beds in respite and palliative care, with those wishing to stay around their own area often being forced to Kenmare or further afield.

He pointed to 30 beds lying idle at Aperee nursing home in Bantry following receivership, while carers at Fairfield in Bantry looked after 49 residents.

‘Is this going to be something that’s going to be kicked down the road and there won’t be anything happening for another five years?’ he asked.

‘Or will we see some roll-out of a new development in either Bantry, Schull or Castletownbere? It is badly needed’.

Chairperson of the Regional Health Forum South West  and Beara-based Cllr Finbarr Harrington seconded the motion.

‘Given our geographical location we are far from everywhere so extra beds are key to keeping people local and near their loved ones,’ he said.

Director of Estates at HSE South West, Daniel Clifford, said it was worth noting that enabling works had started at Bantry Hospital for a stand-alone extension at the back of the hospital for 24 additional inpatient beds.

He also mentioned the planned refurbishment of Bantry’s stroke rehabilitation unit which was part of a significant capital investment.

The completion of both projects was earmarked for mid-2028. If possible, both projects would be delivered before that date.

In February, Minister of Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, announced that Bantry General Hospital had been included in the HSE’s Building and Equipment Capital plan for 2026 with a sum of €1,122,800.

The investment will fund 24 additional acute inpatient beds and 12 stroke rehabilitation unit beds.

€56,140 has been allocated for a pathway for ambulance admissions.

A spokesperson for the HSE said: ‘The HSE are currently undertaking a demand and capacity study to determine the bed capacity requirements for Bantry and the West Cork area.

This will inform the Development Control Plan (DCP) for the area which will capture the requirements for same.’