Planning lodged for Macroom Hospital

PLANNED improvements to Macroom Community Hospital have been welcomed by Fine Gael councillor Eileen Lynch, after she raised it at the HSE South Regional Health Forum.

In the wake of the findings of the recent Hiqa report, published last month, which outlined the failings of the hospital facility, Cllr Lynch addressed the forum to seek assurance that all issues highlighted in the report would be resolved. The report, which arose following an unannounced Hiqa inspection, found that the hospital was non-compliant with many of the Health Acts regulations.

‘While Macroom Hospital provides an invaluable service to many people in the area, it is vital that the hospital would at all times be compliant with accepted health standards,’ said Cllr Lynch.

‘I’m delighted that measures have been put in place to improve the training of staff and the quality of the building. I also welcome the news that an application for planning permission was lodged with Cork County Council on September 12th, which would transform the hospital and provide for 24 single rooms and see all existing wards become three bedroom rooms.’

Cllr Lynch said that this project should be completed by end 2021.