Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with what the Deputy says. Pending the recruitment of additional staff, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare plans to increase bed capacity at West Kerry Community Hospital. That is what I am trying to achieve. It is important to have community nursing units giving people options regarding where they would like to spend the latter days of their lives. The Sláintecare model is to give the right care at the right time, as close to home as possible. We are aware that there are challenges in recruitment. I do not always buy the view on the geographical locations. Many people choose to live in rural Ireland, in the most beautiful parts of the country, but I will certainly keep this as a focus because I want to see all beds open in our community nursing units across the country.

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