A Kerry TD has highlighted the case of a 16-year-old who had to wait over 14 hours in University Hospital Kerry after being hit in the head by a surfboard.
Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly says this case again shows the need for a minor injuries clinic in the north and west of the county.
Deputy Daly said the 16-year-old surfer from West Kerry had been hit in the head by a surfboard and was in serious pain.
He had a laceration of his face leaving his jawbone exposed, and ended up needing five stitches inside his mouth.
The teenager was triaged, but was eventually told to drive to Cork after waiting more than 12 hours.
It was a further 12 hours later that he was discharged from hospital in Cork.
Deputy Pa Daly says if additional minor injuries services had been available to this young man, he may very well have been treated a lot quicker.
A new minor injuries unit is being built on the grounds of St Columbanus in Killarney, due to be completed by the end of the year.
Deputy Daly said this is the bare minimum, and minor injuries units are needed at multiple locations including north and west Kerry.
The Sinn Féin TD added this would ease the burden at the Emergency Department in University Hospital Kerry.
