Bed shortage led to cancellation of 170 operations

A shortage of beds was directly responsible for the cancellation of more than 170 operations at Kerry General Hospital (KGH) between 2010 and 2012.

While the overall cancellation figure for the three-year period was 1,294, there were other factors, besides bed shortages, at play, according to the Health Service Executive (HSE) area manager for Kerry, Michael Fitzgerald.

These included patients who failed to show up for appointments or who themselves cancelled the operation, Mr Fitzgerald said.