New injury unit opens in Bantry

A new injury unit at a hospital in Cork county was officially opened this week.

Bantry General Hospital’s newly-constructed injury unit was officially opened by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Monday.

A spokesperson for Bantry General Hospital said: "The newly completed injury unit will be used for the treatment of minor injuries in the West Cork area, including the diagnosis and treatment of fractured bones, dislocations and sprains, and suturing of wounds and dealing with minor burns."

The unit has access to x-ray and basic diagnostic services to enable optimum treatment of minor injuries.

An Taoiseach was welcomed to the new unit by Carole Croke, General Manager of Bantry General Hospital and was given a tour of the new facility, where he also met with staff members and patients attending the unit.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, said: “I am delighted to open this new state-of-the-art injury unit at Bantry General Hospital. This facility will have a significant impact on the care provided for communities across West Cork, while at the same time relieving pressure on emergency departments in acute hospitals. Units like these greatly improve the overall patient experience, by offering best practice treatments for minor injuries in a more convenient local setting.

"I would like to congratulate Carole Croke and all the team here in Bantry General, their colleagues at CUH and at Group HQ. I also wish the staff and the patients who will attend this unit every success.”

The new injury unit will be operated by approximately 12 staff members.

Tess O’Donovan, Interim Chief Operations Officer, South/South West Hospital Group said: “The investment by the South/South West Hospital Group in the new unit was part of the group’s ongoing efforts to meet the needs of the community while at the same time easing pressure on emergency departments in acute hospitals.

"The new unit will increase capacity for the treatment of minor or perhaps non-serious injuries in a best-in-class facility based in a community setting.”

Carole Croke, General Manager at Bantry General Hospital, said: “The development of the new injury unit in Bantry General Hospital will enable staff at Bantry General Hospital to provide the highest standard of 1st line care in West Cork for non-serious injuries and will help manage the demand on services in the busier areas of the hospital. We have a wonderful and highly skilled team working here at the hospital and I know that each person is excited about the potential of this new unit.”

She also expressed thanks to the HSE Capital Estates department who oversaw the development to ensure it was completed with the timeframe as set out.