The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has found issues that may present a serious health risk at Kerry General Hospital.

After an unannounced hygiene inspection in July, the authority described the operating theatre complex as dilapidated and damaged. They also raised concerns about the oncology unit and risks associated with Legionnaires' disease.

The hospital's theatre complex opened in 1985 and has not been maintained well. Management at the hospital blamed a lack of money for their failure to upgrade the facilities.

Theatres were found to be dilapidated with "several areas of ceilings, walls, woodwork, and floors significantly damaged, worn and non-intact to the extent that they could not be cleaned effectively, and facilitated the production and accumulation of dust".

HIQA said the facilities were not of an acceptable clinical standard.

Elsewhere in the hospital, infection control issues were also identified in the oncology unit and concerns were raised about legionella-related risk.

HIQA has asked the hospital to take immediate measures to rectify the situation.