More short-stay beds set to open in Ballyshannon Community Hospital

Health chiefs hope to open 10 more short-stay beds at Ballyshannon Community Hospital before Christmas.

Residents moved into the facility, which includes 20 short-stay beds, in February 2024. Just 10 of those short-stay beds have been in use, but it is expected the remainder will be opened in the coming weeks.

John Fitzmaurice, an Integrated Healthcare Area Manager with the HSE, said that there have been issues with recruiting staff.

The news was relayed following a query by Sligo-based Independent Councillor Marie Casserly at the latest Regional Health Forum meeting this week.

Councillor Casserly asked about the short-stay beds in Ballyshannon as part of a question about the significant overcrowding at Sligo University Hospital.

Mr Fitzmaurice said there is now a plan to open 10 additional beds in Ballyshannon before December 18.

“Ten of the 20 are opened and we are pushing on the other 10,” he said. “There are challenges with recruitment and we are working with HR on that. There are challenges with hiring multitask attendants, but we are pushing hard to get those 10 beds.”

Mr Fitzmaurice acknowledged the overcrowding problem at Sligo hospital “on a regular basis”, but said that there has been a 6% reduction in patients being on trolleys despite a 5% increase in attendance and a 2% increase in admissions.

“There is a concerted effort to reduce the number of people waiting on trolleys,” he said. “There is a regular and consistent effort.” 

In a written reply to Councillor Casserly, the HSE said: “This has been supported by an ongoing focus on weekend discharges and increased presence of senior decision-makers.

“Consultants and other staff in hospitals on a 5/7 basis which has helped to support patient flow. Additionally, the hospital also opened 26 additional acute medical beds in January 2025.”

He added that there are plans to open four further short-stay beds at St Patrick’s Hospital in Carrick-on-Shannon.

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However, he confirmed there are no plans for a minor injuries unit in Sligo.

The HSE said that the short term beds being opened is a part of a plan to “maximise occupancy with community hospitals”, but is “subject to successful recruitment”.