The HSE has confirmed that the relocation of an ambulance dispatch unit to Cahersiveen Community Hospital will not impact on mental health services provided there.
There had been speculation earlier this week that outpatient mental health services provided at the Care Campus in the hospital, would be moved to Killorglin.
This was supposedly to make room for a new ambulance dispatch unit at the hospital.
The HSE has now confirmed that National Ambulance Service staff will move to Cahersiveen hospital, but mental health services will continue at the facility.
The HSE says arrangements have been made to re-locate National Ambulance Service staff to the Cahersiveen Community Hospital campus.
The ambulance service will begin emergency dispatch operations from the campus on 1st August, and this is to enable a faster response to emergency calls, within the target of a 90-second activation.
The HSE says this development will not impact on any of the existing services on the hospital campus.
There will, however, be some redesignation and repurposing of what the HSE says are a small number of rooms, and a mental health service administration space will move within the campus.
HSE Southwest says a fourth patient transport vehicle will also be based in South Kerry from August 18th, demonstrating the ambulance service’s commitment to delivering safe, timely and responsive care to the communities of South Kerry.
HSE Southwest thanked the staff in the ambulance service, the mental health services and staff within the community hospital for facilitating this important development, and for their flexibility and commitment to improving services.
Fianna Fáil councillor Norma Moriarty also said this morning that a further crisis mental health nurse will be recruited for the area.
Kerry Mental Health Association Iveragh branch welcomed the agreement ensuring continuation of services at the Cahersiveen hospital, but have sought a timeline for the proposed recruitment of the crisis mental health nurse.
This afternoon's confirmation by the HSE has been welcomed by Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae and Minister for Disability, Children, and Equality Norma Foley.
Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill says it's good news for around 100 service users that mental health services will remain at Cahersiveen Community Hospital.
