(March 13th 2025) A major new study carried out by leading academics at Trinity College Dublin has found that over 90%* of locals surveyed feel Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) is of benefit to the local community.
The Health Assets and Needs Assessment (HANA) report also found that over 76% of those living in Tallaght are satisfied with the quality of care they have received at the Hospital while almost 78% would recommend TUH to a friend.
The HANA report which was supported and funded by the Adelaide Health Foundation and the Health Service Executive (HSE) was launched today in Tallaght Community Library. This study is an important one for hospital management as it informs how we develop and plan our services.
It is clear to see how the results of the last HANA report (2014) informed which areas we prioritised for development.
- Tackle waiting lists (a key issue identified in the last HANA study), we developed The Reeves Day Surgery Centre which opened in 2020. This new unit has significantly reduced wait time for day surgery cases. In addition, a design team has now been assembled to draw up plans that will see the creation of 128 new beds for the Hospital. The new beds will give us much-needed additional capacity, to help reduce pressures on our ED.
- In terms of age-related services, we added 48 new beds with the opening of our Medical Age-Related Unit at Tymon North in 2020.
- The Hospital has driven the development of two new Integrated Care Programmes for Older Persons under the clinical governance of our Consultant Geriatricians, Prof. Seán Kennelly and Dr. Paul McElwaine. These teams in Tallaght and Clondalkin manage and coordinate care for older persons with complex care needs across acute, community and primary care organisations.
- The Hospital has spearheaded several important projects (the Gerontology Emergency Department Intervention (GEDI), & Community Admission Avoidance Team for respiratory patients) in an attempt to ensure patients stay well at home and can avoid becoming so ill they have to present at our ED.
- The 2014 HANA research also identified the need for more mental health services. As a result, TUH developed a new Liaison Service headed up by a new Consultant Psychiatrist and two additional Nurse Specialists to manage issues related to self-harm.
- In early 2020 our Radiology Department began operating the new community radiology facility at Tallaght Cross. This gives GPs in the area improved access to X-ray, ultrasound CT and MRI.
- The Patient Community Advisory Council (PCAC) forum is also helping us to listen and respond to the needs of our local community.
Commenting on the report published today, John Kelly, Interim CEO of TUH, said: "It is great to see the expansion of our services and community health initiatives have made a real difference, these changes were made after the last HANA report. As part of the new Hospital Strategy which we are in the midst of developing, we will be looking at the new data to help us identify what is working well and where improvements are needed to ensure equitable healthcare access for people in our community."
The 2024 HANA report also notes:
- Healthier lifestyles: Smoking rates have declined significantly, dropping from 69% in 2001 to 32% in 2024, reflecting the success of public health campaigns in the community and nationally.
- More active residents: Since 2014, strenuous exercise has more than doubled, rising from 2.7% to 5.8%, with increasing participation across all activity levels.
- Greater use of community spaces: 98% of residents’ value public recreational areas, and 84% use public transport, reflecting the impact of investments in parks, cycle lanes, and local infrastructure.
- Educational gains: The proportion of residents with a third-level qualification has grown from 6% in 2001 to 35% in 2024, helping them get better jobs and improve their lives.
- Expanded healthcare facilities: 47% of residents attended TUH for tests or treatment in the past year—more than double the 2014 rate.
For more information and access to the full report “Health Assets and Needs Assessment (HANA) in Tallaght 2024”, visit:
Public Health and Primary Care Website
