Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for accepting this important matter.

St. Patrick's Hospital in Cashel is one of the finest facilities in the country. I have no doubt in saying that given the manner in which it is run, its attention to patients and the quality of care delivered. Recently it has been brought to the attention of people in the locality that there were changes in services at the hospital. The reason I raise the issue is to get an assurance from the Minister of State on the future of the hospital and that it will stay in the town. It is part of the infrastructure and has been in place for many years. Many doctors, the late Dr. Willie Ryan and the present Dr. Willie Ryan, among others, were very committed, as are the staff and management, to developing and running the hospital.

The hospital comprises St. Anthony's, St. Clare's and St. Michael's unit, all of which care for the elderly, people who have given long service to the community. Given the proposed changes taking place the staff and the people of Tipperary are concerned that the future of St. Patrick's Hospital was at stake. I seek that confirmation from the Minister of State. I want an assurance on the future of the jobs at the hospital, those who work there, and all the services they have provided over many years and the back-up the hospital has provided to South Tipperary General Hospital and Our Lady's Hospital in Cashel over many years.

There is an historic High Court ruling about south Tipperary hospital services, of which St. Patrick's Hospital is a part. A strong commitment was given at the time by the then Minister for Health, Deputy Michael Noonan, that the future of St. Patrick's Hospital would be assured. I want that commitment reiterated and the people of Tipperary to be given an assurance on the future of St. Patrick's Hospital.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. It provides me with an opportunity to update the House on this matter.

As the Deputy is aware, Government policy is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not feasible, the health service supports access to appropriate quality long-term residential care, including the provision of financial assistance under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. In 2012, with a budget of almost €1 billion,financial support was provided to over 22,000people in nursing homes.

The Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of health and personal social services, including those at facilities such as St. Patrick's Hospital, Cashel, County Tipperary. We are all conscious that these are challenging times for the Health Service Executive in respect of all services. In the case of community nursing units, these include challenges regarding staffing, funding and the age and structure of the units. St. Patrick's Hospital, originally built in the 1800's has a bed complement of 134 beds comprising 95 long stay, 18 respite and 21 rehabilitation beds. The hospital is registered with HIQA for a period of 3 years with effect from 28 June 2012. HIQA inspection reports have identified the challenges posed by the design and layout of the premises in meeting the individual and collective needs of its residents. Bearing this in mind, and with the aim of maintaining and developing the provision of older person's services in Cashel, the recently published HSE South Regional Service Plan 2013 features the proposed transfer of the respite and rehabilitation beds from St. Patrick's Hospital in Cashel to the adjacent vacant facilities at Our Lady's Hospital campus. As the Deputy will be aware Our Lady's underwent a significant refurbishment to the value of €21 million,completed in 2011. While at present there are no inpatient services at the hospital, a number of day services are provided. Having been refurbished to a very high standard, the hospital is not currently utilising capacity to optimum level but it has the potential to provide high quality facilities for short stay services.

The main reason for undertaking the reorganisation of services is to facilitate the refurbishment of facilities within St. Patrick's Hospital. Following the transfer of respite and rehabilitation services to Our Lady's Hospital campus, a development plan will be prepared around the remaining long stay facilities at the hospital in order to support its re-registration with HIQA, which will be due in 2015. I assure the Deputy this proposal will be worked through a consultation process with the staff and other relevant stakeholders of St. Patrick's Hospital over the coming period. In this regard a project group has been convened, the inaugural meeting of which took place on 19March 2013. Membership of the project group comprises of representation from both HSE senior management and relevant staff. I am pleased to confirm that the terms of reference and a schedule of weekly meetings were formally agreed and signed off at this meeting. It is important to note that the proposed transfer of service will improve the facilities and the environment for patients of both facilities. It also ensures the retention of a significant service in Cashel, consistent with the approach taken by the HSE South in relation to services for older people in its regional service plan.

I am pleased to take this opportunity to reaffirm that St. Patrick's Hospital Cashel will continue to play a significant role in the provision of public services for older people.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for placing on the record the fact that the future of St. Patrick's Hospital in Cashel is safe. I hope nobody will undermine that situation again. It has been stated on the public record that its future is safe.

In regard to the consultation process I ask the Minister of State to ensure the HSE and staff undertake all of it. The members of staff are committed people who have given their lives to the support of the elderly in the community. They have worked long hours through thick and thin and in difficult situations. There is no more committed staff than those in St. Patrick's Hospital in Cashel. I want to ensure the proposal is worked through by the HSE in all its dealings with the staff and the management. Under the management of Mary Prendergast, the hospital has gone from strength to strength.

I urge the Minister of State to ensure the consultation process is right. As he said in his reply, a great deal of taxpayers' money has been spent on St. Mary's Hospital and it cannot be left as it has been for some years. I welcome the fact that there will be activity in that hospital for which I foresee huge potential. We have a situation which is unique to many other areas, despite many warnings throughout the county, where there will be two very active hospitals in the town of Cashel for the foreseeable future. That is welcome. I thank the Minister of State.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I do not think I can say anything further other than to agree with the Deputy on the importance of consultation with regard to this matter. A project group has been set up. The terms of reference and a schedule of meetings have already been agreed. I wish all concerned well in that regard. I am sure there will be a productive process of consultation which will be in the interests of the future of the hospital.