Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will take action to address the radiography and nursing staff shortage and ward closure at Kerry General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2203/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Approval for an additional Consultant Radiologist has been granted for Kerry General Hospital. This post will facilitate the earlier reporting of x-rays and improve the quality of the service provided to patients.

I understand that Kerry General Hospital has an approved complement of 13.5 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) radiographers. The HSE, in line with the terms of Towards 2016, has initiated a consultation process at national and local level with regard to extending the working day for radiography and other grades.

I have been informed by the HSE that Kerry General Hospital took the decision to temporarily close a 24 bed ward from 14th January 2008 until early March 2008. The decision to close the ward was taken because of a temporary shortage of nursing staff due to retirements, resignations, long term sick leave and maternity leave. Kerry General Hospital has approval to recruit the required nursing staff (34 whole time equivalents) and everything possible is being done to fill these posts as quickly as possible.