Staff at a HSE-run nursing home would need to move between four and five beds in a specific sequence to rescue the resident in the bed closest to the flames in the event of a fire breaking out.

Daily life for residents at a HSE-run hospital was "dictated by unconscious institutional practices", illustrated by how one woman's request to sit outside in the sun couldn't be facilitated and she was instead brought back to sit by her bed.

Two ageing HSE-run nursing homes whose facilities have been strongly criticised by the health watchdog are in line for a €9m boost.

An inspection of Kanturk Community Hospital by the health watchdog found while the standard of care was good, the layout of the premises compromised the privacy and dignity of residents.

More than 250 people in North Cork last night gave an emphatic thumbs down to HSE plans to reduce bed numbers in Kanturk Community Hospital and downgrade local ambulance services.