It’s understood an agreement has been reached to ensure mental health services will remain at Cahersiveen Hospital without interruption.
There was speculation that outpatient mental health services currently provided at the community hospital would be moved to Killorglin.
Fianna Fáil councillor Norma Moriarty says an agreement has now been reached to facilitate all parties, and this has been welcomed by the Kerry Mental Health Association Iveragh branch.
It was speculated that the outpatient mental health services would be moved from its existing base at the Care Campus in Cahersiveen hospital to Killorglin, to facilitate space for a new dispatch unit for the National Ambulance Service.
The matter has been raised twice in the Dáil this week, with concern locally that any relocation of mental health services would have a detrimental impact on accessibility for service users, especially those who live a significant distance away from Killorglin.
Fianna Fáil councillor Norma Moriarty says an agreement has now been reached to allow mental health services continue at Cahersiveen hospital without interruption.
A crisis mental health nurse will also be recruited alongside the existing team, and this will grow into a full crisis mental health service for the area.
Cllr Moriarty says this agreement also includes enhancements to the ambulance facilities at the site, addressing the needs of both mental health services and emergency response.
The Kerry Mental Health Association Iveragh Branch has welcomed the agreement, which will ensure the community retain full access to mental health services at the Care Campus in Cahersiveen hospital.
The association says its volunteers have requested written confirmation from the HSE, including an outline of the details, as well as a timeline for the proposed recruitment of a crisis mental health nurse.
Kerry Mental Health Association says it will continue to communicate with the HSE to ensure that people with mental health challenges, their families and carers in Iveragh and throughout the county, are supported adequately and without interruption.
The HSE has not yet responded to queries on the matter from Radio Kerry.
*UPDATE - The HSE has confirmed the relocation of the National Ambulance Service base to Cahersiveen Community Hospital will not impact the delivery of mental health services at the hospital, but "There will be some redesignation and repurposing of a small number of rooms, and a mental health service administration space will move within the campus."
