SIX bed spaces added at Macroom Community Hospital and registered by HIQA last year have lain idle for over 18 months, according to a Cork TD.

Deputy John Paul O’Shea (FG) called on the HSE to immediately open the six beds which were fully completed in June 2024 and registered by the Health Information and Quality Authority since July of last year.

He said it is ‘deeply disappointing’ that despite a major refurbishment project at the hospital – which began as far back as 2020 – the HSE has failed to put plans in place to bring these much-needed beds into use.

‘These six beds are finished, compliant and HIQA registered. At a time when our acute hospitals are under relentless pressure, it is simply unacceptable that they remain closed,’ said Deputy O’Shea.

He raised the issue with the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill through a Parliamentary Question, asking about the role of community hospitals in Macroom and Millstreet in alleviating pressure on acute hospitals through step-down care and whether all available beds are being utilised.

While the HSE confirmed that community hospitals play an important role in step-down, rehabilitation and convalescent care, Deputy O’Shea said this response does not address the core issue in Macroom.

‘The HSE speaks out about ensuring no operational bed is left vacant. The problem in Macroom is that these beds are not being made operational in the first place, despite the capital investment already made and the clear need for additional capacity.’

He said that opening the six beds would immediately help reduce delayed discharges from acute hospitals, improve patient flow and ensure older patients can receive appropriate care closer to home.

‘We cannot justify leaving beds idle when patients are waiting on trolleys or stuck in acute settings because there is nowhere suitable for them to go. The refurbishment of Macroom Community Hospital was meant to go strengthen community care, not deliver empty rooms,’ he added.

‘These beds must be opened without further delay. The people of Macroom and the wider Cork North-West area deserve better.’

Deputy O’Shea called on the HSE to provide a clear timeline for staffing and opening the beds and to engage urgently with local representatives and hospital management to resolve the issue.