New beds at North Cork hospital 'a vital addition', says TD  

More than 20 new inpatient beds at Mallow General Hospital are set to open in the coming weeks.

In a response to a parliamentary question from Cork North Central Labour Party TD Eoghan Kenny, a HSE spokesperson said that “in relation to the opening of the 24 additional beds at Mallow General Hospital, I can confirm this will happen in the coming weeks.

“Recruitment and onboarding of staff is ongoing, and all the posts have been approved and are at various stages within the recruitment process.”

Mallow General Hospital was awarded more than €7m as part of the HSE capital investment plan in 2025, with the funding being used to fit out and provide 24 inpatient beds in accordance with the acute inpatient bed capacity expansion plan.

Vital

Welcoming the HSE response, Mr Kenny said that the beds are a vital addition for public services and people across North Cork.

“I am glad to receive a response this morning that the opening of the new 24 inpatient beds in Mallow General Hospital will be happening in the coming weeks”

“The minister for health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill spoke recently about how Mallow hospital holds an important role in the south west region.

“We have invested very considerably in Mallow and we continue to invest in it for the benefit of the people of Mallow and also the people of the region.

“It forms a really important part of the patient flow infrastructure between Cork University Hospital, the Mercy Hospital and the way in which patients are moved through them for the benefit of patient safety.”