Hospital goes out to tender

THE Health Service Executive has been given the all-clear to seek tenders for the construction of a 72-bed community hospital in Dingle.

The long-awaited development, estimated to cost around €16 million, will facilitate the transfer of patients from the existing 19th century hospital, in Dingle, and will provide an additional 29 continuing care and community support beds.

It will also include a day-care centre for older people, a mental health day-care centre and a new ambulance base for west Kerry.

Approval is being sought from Kerry County Council for planning adjustments to the new hospital site to provide for the proposed Dingle relief road.

A decision from the council is due shortly. “That [decision] will enable tenders to be sought in the coming weeks,” said Fianna Fáil councillor Tom Fleming.