43 residents of the Dinish & Loher wards in Kerry General (KGH) have today, 20th June 2012, moved to their new home in Tralee Community Nursing Unit (CNU).

Situated at Teile Carraig, Killerisk Road, Tralee, the CNU which was built at a cost of €9.4 million provides enhanced residential care for people in the region. The new facility will provide continuing care for the local people of Tralee who can no longer live independently in their own homes and require long term residential care. A wide range of community therapy services such as Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy & Physiotherapy will also be available in the Unit.

Mr. PJ Hartnett, General Manager, Kerry General Hospital said: "This is a very special day for the people of Tralee and the new Unit will make an important contribution to the quality of life of our residents. I have no doubt; the CNU will continue to do so into the future forming a key element of health service provision for the region. The CNU was designed and built to ensure the utmost comfort and optimal care facilities were provided for patients and today heralds a new era in heath care provision for the Tralee area in this regard."

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Ms. Mary Shea, A/Director of Nursing, Kerry General Hospital said: "The residents, their families and staff have all been looking forward to the relocation from the Dinish and Loher wards. The new Unit is built on one level with the comfort of older people in mind and will make an enormous difference to the lives of our residents."

After generations of providing long term residential care services, the facilities in the Dinish & Loher wards of KGH are no longer adequate to meet modern day standards of care. Both wards will now be refurbished allowing for the expansion of rehabilitation services within the hospital.

Ms. Ann Holly, CNM3 at Tralee CNU said "Both the architecture and interior décor in the new unit lends itself to a homely welcoming environment for residents, families and staff. It is bright, spacious and there are plenty of landscaped garden areas for residents to enjoy and most importantly, people from the greater Tralee area will continue to be able to avail of long term care, now in a much more enhanced and appropriate environment."

(CD)