BANTRY General Hospital is to receive a major funding boost of €1.12m under a HSE investment plan to develop hospital infrastructure.

The West Cork  hospital is included in the HSE’s Building and Equipment Capital plan for 2026, which was  announced by Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

€1,122,800 will fund the hospital’s plan to add 24 acute inpatient beds and 12 stroke rehabilitation unit beds.

€56,140 has been allocated for a pathway for ambulance admissions.

The investment is part of a €1.3 billion allocation nationally for the development of healthcare infrastructure.

Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’ Sullivan (FF) outlined that the investment recognised ‘the importance of Bantry General Hospital not just to the people of West Cork, but the entire South West region.’

He added that the hospital ‘has gone from strength to strength and credit is due to the incredible staff and the management for their drive and determination.’

Senator Noel O’Donovan (FG) said that the investment ‘that will help bring healthcare services closer to home and better meet the needs of patients and families in our community.’

‘Investing in our health service is important as our population grows, with many people living longer, healthier lives,’ he added.

Commenting on the publication of the HSE Capital Plan, Minister Carroll MacNeill said that the investments would help the health service to ‘provide the right care, in the right place, and the right time.’