Beaumont Hospital in Dublin has said it is seeking 250 more inpatient beds to deal with increased pressure on services.
The hospital said the extra beds, on top of its existing complement of 700, are needed over the next five years to fight hospital-acquired infections, isolate patients, and to allow the hospital to refurbish existing wards.
The hospital's chief executive, Liam Duffy, told RTÉ News the hospital had been upset with the results of the recent national hygiene audit of hospitals where it was ranked among the worst in Dublin.
In a five-year strategy document published today, the hospital says the ageing population in its catchment area of 250,000 people will mean significantly increased pressure on services in the coming years.
The hospital plans to introduce more outpatient clinics with extended opening hours, open more theatres and provide a cancer centre with radiotherapy.
It has also formally entered the race to be the location for the new 'super' children's hospital in Dublin.
Beaumont Hospital deals with over 50,000 accident and emergency cases a year, and is one of the busiest hospitals in Ireland.
