Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I also thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing us to raise this matter tonight. I further thank my colleague for sharing his time with me.

I, too, am extremely concerned about the situation in South Tipperary General Hospital where a new state-of-the-art 23-bed acute unit lies idle, although it was designed and constructed to the highest possible standards and is fully equipped. I pay tribute to the hospital staff who, from the receptionist at the front door to the top surgeons, are under pressure in trying to deal with the awful conditions under which they operate. Many patients are on trolleys or wait for hours to be seen while this unit lies idle. There are similar cases around the country. I condemn out of hand the HSE's lack of joined-up thinking and the inability of senior HSE staff to visit hospital management to explain why the unit remains closed. It is unbelievable that this unit which has been designed and built to the highest standards is allowed to lie idle. It is a travesty that millions of euro have been spent on the unit but it remains idle. Significant investment has been made in the hospital in general in the past ten years since the decision to relocate all services to Clonmel. This unit was part of the package which the nursing staff, doctors and other medical staff bought into and which is now being reneged on.

I call on the Minister to visit the hospital and meet senior management to give a date when this magnificent service can be put into operation. This would allow staff to deal with patients on a daily basis in the conditions to which they are entitled. A total of 790 staff work in the hospital. We have 247 beds in addition to those in this unit. The staff are doing a top quality job and in need of our support. People in south Tipperary do not need such confusion, which is leading to morale being at an all-time low in the hospital. I do not know how staff continue to work there on a daily basis with decisions like this.

Another outstanding issue is the provision of palliative care beds which were promised but have not been delivered. The situation is unfair to all concerned and the public which supports the hospital. The catchment area includes approximately 80,000 people. I plead with the Minister to come and see the unit for herself at first hand.

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