Fury at Kerry health unit delay

A DELAY in opening a new 15-bed unit for psychiatric patients in Killarney was described as “irresponsible” at the weekend.

Donie Doody, secretary of the Kerry Nurses and Allied Grades SIPTU branch, called for the €2.8 million unit at Upper Lewis Road to open without further delay.

Patients are due to be transferred from Cherryfield House in Killarney and he urged the HSE to have the process completed by Christmas. He said the building had been completed since July 2009, all rooms fully furnished and it was ready for occupation.