Hospice unable to open 20 beds despite demand for service

Marymount Hospice in Cork is under “huge pressures” in terms of admissions as it has been unable to open the extra 20 beds planned for it due to the recession.

One year from its move from its previous location on Wellington Rd in Cork City to a state-of-the-art facility in Curraheen, the dire economic situation in the health service means that just 24 beds in the hospice are available, despite there being capacity for 44 beds.

Kevin O’Dwyer, chief executive of St Patrick’s Hospital/Marymount Hospice, said there were “huge pressures” on admissions but that the integrated service in place offset such demand.