98 new acute beds will be put in place at University Hospital Waterford across the course of the next three years.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has announced a national plan to deliver 3,352 new beds - 2,997 net new hospital beds + 355 replacement beds, in addition to the 1,015 hospital beds under construction and/or committed to, bringing the total number of new beds to be delivered by 2031 to 4,367 nationwide.
The news was welcomed by Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Waterford TD Mary Butler (Fianna Fail)
The Waterford Minister stated: “I was delighted to receive confirmation from my colleague at the Department of Health, Minister Stephen Donnelly, that 98 new beds will be provided at UHW from next year. I work closely with Minister Donnelly in respect of all matters relating to Waterford and UHW, which he often acknowledges as one the finest hospitals in the country.
"Since 2020, we have worked really hard at the Department of Health to deliver 1,218 net additional acute hospital beds throughout the country. UHW has seen the provision of 74 additional beds between March 2021 and March of 2024.
Minister Butler continued: "We are improving access to health services, with reductions in waiting times and waiting lists, lower costs for treatment, more entitlement to free GP services than ever before, and Ireland’s first ever Women’s Health Strategy."
Senator John Cummins welcomed the announcement of new acute in-patient hospital beds which is part of Fine Gael’s commitment to invest in our health service and deliver increased capacity.
Senator Cummins said: “With an ageing and growing population, it is critical that our health service can cater for the needs of families and individuals living in Waterford. I believe the provision of extra bed capacity at UHW will have a very positive impact”.
“I am delighted to confirm that 98 new acute beds will be delivered UHW between March 2025 and 2028. As part of our ongoing commitment to improving the health service, 74 net new acute beds have been delivered between 2021 and March of this year.
“This means that a total of 172 beds will have been delivered for UHW in the 8 year period to 2028."
For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.
