Second hospital for elderly may face delay in opening

THE opening of a second hospital for the long-stay care of elderly people in Kerry has been delayed because the building may not comply with standards required by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

HIQA is to undertake an inspection of the €10 million Tralee Community Hospital before it can be registered and approved for the admission of patients.

The opening of the €16.4m Dingle Community Hospital was held up for three months to allow the HSE time to get the building into line with HIQA standards.