Comfort for Chemo Kerry says the temporary oncology unit at University Hospital Kerry (UHK) cannot cope with rising demand.
In November 2023, the HSE renovated and opened a €2.2 million interim oncology day ward at UHK.
The charity says the ward space is overcrowded and struggling to meet capacity.
It wants the Department of Health to expedite HSE capital funding approval for a planned permanent oncology and haematology unit at UHK.
Tralee MD councillor, and Comfort for Chemo Kerry committee member, Mikey Sheehy says some patients are forced to travel to Cork for treatment that could potentially be delivered locally:
HSE South West says it plans to build a new standalone oncology unit in Kerry.
It says its investment in recent years include €17 million to fund a new chemotherapy unit, with €2.2 million allocated to establishing the interim oncology unit.
The plan for the new standalone oncology unit was revised, and is now a larger development in a new location.
The HSE says a review of the initial funding allocation was required, and a new application for capital funding has been submitted.
It says it remains committed to delivering on this once additional funding is approved.
