HSE thanks Kerry College and ETB for ‘superb’ test centres

THE HSE has thanked Kerry College and the Kerry Education and Training Board for providing one of their premises to be used as the county’s primary COVID-19 testing sites.

At the outset of the crisis, Kerry College provided the use of one of its buildings at Clash in Tralee to the HSE on foot of a request from Kerry County Council and the health executive seeking suitable buildings to support the COVID-19 testing process.

The building has been in use since late March by the HSE for testing purposes, and the medical teams based in the building also have access to the on-site canteen, toilets and showering facilities.

A number of contact-tracing teams also work from the premises, while testing continues from pods outside the main building.

On behalf of the HSE, Dr Patrick Quinn thanked Kerry College and the Kerry ETB for their assistance.

“Kerry ETB at this time are effectively essential partners in the delivery of one of the most essential public services in Kerry,” he said.

“All community testing for COVID-19 is either delivered or co-ordinated from the building, and we will soon be running the occupational health contact-tracing service from here, which will cater for healthcare staff and other essential emergency services,” said Dr Quinn.

“The facility is superb, and it must also be noted that the support we have received from Kerry College and the Kerry ETB and has been second to none and is hugely appreciated. Thanks again for all that you and your team are doing for us and the people of Kerry,” he added.

Stephen Goulding, Acting Director of Further Education and Training at the Kerry ETB, said everyone involved with the board is proud to be able to be part of the national response to the pandemic.