AN inspection at Bantry Hospital found the facility to be compliant and partially compliant in most areas, however issues with staffing, training and absenteeism were identified.

The HIQA report released earlier this month shows the hospital was marked compliant in two areas, substantially compliant in six categories, and partially compliant in three areas.

Inspectors noted in their report that there seemed to be an ‘over reliance’ on agency staff at consultant level to cover gaps in unfilled permanent approved post.

Comments from patients were complimentary about the staff, and the care they received, which inspectors agreed was consistent with what they observed at the hospital.

Inspectors noted that the hospital was funded for 151.70 WTE (whole time equivalent) nursing posts, inclusive of management and other grades, of which 146.43 WTE were filled.

They noted that there was a vacancy rate of 3.5%. Inspectors also noted that a risk was identified on the risk register in relation to the recruitment and retention of nursing staff.

The pharmacy department was approved for a total staff of 1.5 WTE pharmacist posts, to be made up of one WTE pharmacist executive manager and 0.5 WTE basic grade pharmacist, in addition to one WTE pharmaceutical technician post.

All posts were filled at the time of the inspection. However, HIQA was informed by staff that the 1.5 WTE resource provided pharmacy cover across four additional service locations as well as Bantry General Hospital, including mental health and community services.

This distribution of resources was reported to impact the capacity of the hospital pharmacy service according to the HIQA report.

Training compliance with national clinical handover guidance was recorded as 100% for nursing staff, however compliance with mandatory children first training was 82% and compliance with sepsis training was 80%.

The hospital’s absenteeism rate in July 2025 was 8.94% - an increase from 8.23% in July 2024. The current rate remains above the HSE’s target absenteeism rate of less than 4%.

Staff who spoke with inspectors were aware of, and had access to, occupational health services and the employee assistance programme. Inspectors were informed that back-to-work interviews were being conducted by the hospital duty officer.

The HSE told HIQA after the inspection that a targeted recruitment plan is under way to fill approved permanent consultant posts, and that improving compliance with essential and mandatory training is a priority for the team.

They said: ‘We acknowledge the need to align our absenteeism rate with the HSE target of 4%. The hospital is reviewing current absenteeism management processes, including early intervention, return-to-work supports, and strengthened adherence to the HSE Managing Attendance Policy.’