FRIENDS OF BANTRY GENERAL HOSPITAL LTD.

BANTRY, WEST CORK

Bantry General Hospital opened in 1960 and is a 118 bedded acute general hospital, which serves a population of in excess of 60,000 people in the West Cork and South Kerry area.

The hospital is a vital and significant community asset to the people living in the West Cork and South Kerry area.

In Bantry General Hospital in 2003:

2838 patients were admitted to the hospital
1194 patients were treated as day cases
7563 patients were seen in the Out Patients Department
5279 patients were treated in Casualty
1687 patients underwent surgery
11, 589 people were x-rayed in the X-ray Department

Since 1999, a total of 3 million Euro has been spent on enhancing the hospitals physical structure through upgrading/extending or refurbishing many of the patient areas in order to enhance patient care and services. Specifically this upgrading program has enhanced the following areas:

The Medical ward
The Surgical ward
The Intensive Care Unit
St Josephís Unit
The Rehabilitation Unit
The Operating Theatre Department
The Out Patients Department
The X-ray Department
The Laboratory Department
The Endoscopy Department

Additionally since 1999, the following significant developments have occurred to increase the range of services offered to patients:

Staffing levels have increase by 49%, which increases the efficiency and expertise of the care offered to patients attending the hospital.
A consultant Geriatrician has been appointed to the hospital
A dedicated Endoscopy Department has opened.
An echocardiography (heart scan) service is available
An 8 bedded Rehabilitation Unit has opened.
Additional Out Patient Department Clinic are available, such as:
The age care evaluation clinic
The falls assessment clinic
The geriatric clinic
The multiple sclerosis clinic
A Palliative Care Service is available since 1999 which provides:
Inpatient services
Out patients services
Home care services

Since 1999, a total of 1.5million Euro has been spent on equipment in the hospital. However the provision of further equipment is vital. In this regard, "The Friends of Bantry General Hospital ltd", are a group of individuals from the local community, who feel that the acquisition of additional equipment, specifically a CT Scanner, for Bantry General Hospital is fundamental to the continued provision of an acceptable level of care to patients.

The "Friends" are concerned that the range of diagnostic and other equipment available to the medical and surgical doctors is presently inadequate for the needs of the community that the hospital serves. The lack of these facilities means that unacceptably high number of hospitalized patients and people referred from the Out Patients Department must frequently travel to Cork for tests which cannot be undertaken in the hospital, especially CT scans.

A C T Scanner is used to diagnose conditions such as strokes, serious head injuries and cancers. Presently at least 400 hospitalized patients and hundreds of Out Patients are referred to Cork Hospitals annually for a CT scan.

Hospitalised patients requiring a scan have to endure a 6-hour ambulance round trip to Cork, and frequently have to be accompanied by a member of nursing staff.

People requiring non-urgent scans can face waits of up to 4 months for a CT scan.

The availability of a CT Scanner in Bantry General Hospital would lead to reduced time for diagnosis, speedier treatment and ultimately enhanced patient care. Other benefits would be a much reduced need to transport patients, resulting in improved patient comfort, increased availability of the local ambulance service and the freeing up of nursing personnel who normally travel with hospitalized patients.

The Friends of Bantry General Hospital have formed a limited company with the stated objective of raising funds within the community for the purchase of equipment for Bantry General Hospital. The initial priority is to fundraise for a CT Scanner which will cost 500,000 Euro

Join us, become a Friend of Bantry General Hospital ltd and the community will benefit greatly from our endeavors.

How can you help?

Complete a standing order form by clicking here

Make a donation

Organize a fundraising event in your area or workplace

Support local fundraising events

Contact us with your ideas/suggestions/to help

CRO NO 385118

Reg Office: Bantry General Hospital, Bantry, Co Cork.

Directors T Barry, P Cronin, M Lawlor, A McHale, M Minehane, A Willoughby and M Wickham

Site Courtesy of Web Erin