Naas General Hospital To Get 48 New Beds As Health Minister Says Hospital Waiting Lists "Are Falling"

Thursday, 30 May 2024 09:54

By Martin Osborne

Minister Stephen Donnelly announced the plans on Kildare Today.

Naas General Hospital is getting 48 new beds.

Discussing the plans on Kildare Today, Minister Stephen Donnelly said it marks the biggest expansion of bed capacity in the health service in several decades, with a total of 3,352 additional acute inpatient beds planned for delivery across three tranches up to 2031.

When challenged on overcrowding issues and under pressure staff, he said waiting lists "are falling".

The Irish Nurses' and Midwives' Organisation says the beds are pointless without a workplace plan in place.

It welcomed the announcement but says the delivery of the beds is entirely contingent on correct and safe staffing levels.

Colm Porter, the union's assistant director of industrial relations, says the number of undergraduate nursing and midwifery places need to be increased to achieve this.

More from Local News

Iarnród Éireann To Begin Major Accessibility Upgrade At Athy Station

During the construction period, part of the Iarnród Éireann-owned car park will be used as a construction compound, temporarily reducing parking capacity.
Two Cars Burnt Out In Sallins Overnight

No injuries have been reported and no arrests have been made.
Student Plagiarism On the Rise At Maynooth University As AI Cheating Remains Unclassified

While AI tools becoming more prevalent in academic settings, the university noted that it does not have a dedicated category for AI-related cheating.
Irish Troops Play Important Role In Lebanon, Says Kildare South TD As Israel Continues To Carry Out Airstrikes

Audio

The Israeli military continues to carry out airstrikes in Beirut, along with targets in the south of the country where Irish Defence Forces soldiers are serving as part of a UNIFIL mission.
Two Schools In Lucan Evacuated Following Major Gas Leak

Scoil Aine Naofa and St Thomas' were safely evacuated this morning.
Push For Installation Of Defibrillators In Housing Estates After Maynooth Emergency Incident

Audio

In addition to pushing for defibrillators in existing estates, Cllr Feeney said AEDs should be a standard feature in new housing developments.
Picket To Take Place Outside Intel Site In Leixlip Today Over Travel Allowances

It follows Unite trade members voting for industrial action over travel time in August
Property Prices In Kildare Have Risen By Over €10K

The median asking price for a property in the county is now €310,000.