A Kerry TD has says that nearly 23 years’ worth of bed days were lost in University Hospital Kerry last year due to delays in the health system.
That’s according to Sinn Féin TD, Pa Daly.
Deputy Daly says that over 8000 bed days were lost at University Hospital Kerry due to delayed transfers of care or discharges in 2025.
This is the number of bed days occupied by patients receiving ongoing care who are categorised as Delayed Transfers of Care (DTOC).
They are not receiving acute care and could receive their care elsewhere. These beds cannot be used for acute care while occupied by a patient whose transfer is delayed.
Deputy Daly says that by the 15th of January this year, 312 days had been lost, jumping from 6.9% to 7.3% of total bed days, in comparison to the previous year.
The Kerry TD has called on the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, TD and Kerry’s four government and government-supporting TDs to urgently address the large numbers of bed days lost at UHK.
When asked for comment, the HSE said UHK is acutely aware of the impact of delayed discharges on other patients awaiting care and that the figures quoted by Deputy Daly are accurate.
