‘A gamechanger for patients’: Hundreds of new acute hospital beds to be delivered in Cork by 2031

A total of 472 new acute hospital beds are to be delivered in Cork by 2031, the Minister for Health has revealed.

Minister Stephen Donnelly and Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform Paschal Donohoe today announced the Acute Inpatient Hospital Bed Expansion Plan, which aims to deliver 4,367 acute hospital in-patient beds nationally by 2031.

Nearly 500 of the beds planned to be delivered over the next seven years are in Cork, and include 342 in CUH, 82 in the Mercy and 24 each in Mallow and Bantry General hospitals.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin told The Echo, “I would welcome the investment, which is probably the largest in bed capacity for quite some time.

“I think it will benefit patients hugely, making for more timely treatment at all stages, and it adds to investments in primary care and enhanced community care in Cork in recent years, in particular in Gurranabraher and Ballincollig.

“It’s very good news on top of existing investments in the hospitals,” he said, adding that he was looking forward to working on advancing the additional beds with Minister Donnelly.

Between March 2025 and 2028, 24 beds are planned in Mallow, 82 in the Mercy and 81 in CUH, and between 2029 and 2031, a further 261 beds are planned in CUH, on top of 24 in Bantry.

Between 2021 and 2024, 150 beds were added to Mallow, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, the Mercy and CUH, meaning the total increase in beds in just over a decade would be 622.

Minister Donnelly said, “I initiated and developed this plan as I recognise that we need to increase our bed capacity to meet the healthcare needs of our growing and ageing population.

“Delivery of this plan will result in the equivalent bed capacity of six large hospitals opening and will be a gamechanger for patients and healthcare workers.

Minister Donohoe added, “We recognise that demand for healthcare is increasing and that we must plan appropriately for the future. We also recognise the need for more reform and I welcome the strong focus on this from Minister Donnelly.”