Cork community hospital poised to re-open by the end of the year 

THE HSE has said that ongoing works at Millstreet Community Hospital are expected to be completed and the facility open and operational by the end of the year.

Refurbishment and extension works at the hospital, which provides 24-hour nursing care to residents aged over 65, are currently at snag stage, Tess O’Donovan, chief officer of Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, told the regional health forum meeting for the southern region in recent days.

The HSE hopes to register the building with the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) in the next four weeks, she added, in a written response to a query from Fine Gael councillor Eileen Lynch.

“Subject to commissioning, handover and successful completion of HIQA registration, it is anticipated that the extended and refurbished hospital will be fully resourced and operational during Q4, 2024 pending maintenance of adequate staffing levels to deliver optimal care to our residents,” Ms O’Donovan said.

In October of last year, the HSE had stated that works at Millstreet Community Hospital would “continue on a phased basis with subsequent HIQA registrations and are expected to be completed by June 2024”.

Ms Lynch said that while the delay was disappointing, the planned opening of the hospital by the end of the year was welcome.

“The most important thing here is that it will be open very soon and the development is in the final stages. Better late than never,” she said.

“I’m delighted to see it progressing, it’s obviously something that’s badly needed in the region, and it’s a fantastic facility that will be of massive benefit to the area.”