Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My question relates to health issues, particularly as they relate to Tipperary. On behalf of my colleagues in this Independent group, Last night's programme was disturbing and distressing and it reflected poorly on the health care system and its inability to respond to serious urgent care needs. I am delighted with the response from the Taoiseach and that this matter will now be treated as urgent. However, the message in last night's television programme has been conveyed consistently to the HSE by the consultants and doctors of the patients who featured in it. I guarantee that every patient had representations made on his or her behalf by probably every Member of this House at some stage and that our recommendations have been ignored. It takes a television programme to get action. Where is the response from the HSE to representations made by elected representatives?

The issue I wish to raise with the Taoiseach is the principal health care issue in County Tipperary. It revolves around the disgraceful situation at South Tipperary General Hospital, which has a grossly inadequate number of acute beds to manage the crisis in acute services. It routinely has 140% occupancy, whereas the desired occupancy rate for hospitals of its size is approximately 85%. Therefore, when there is a surge in demand, there is no flexibility in the system, as a result of which we regularly have the highest trolley count in the country. In South Tipperary General Hospital there are only 150 acute beds per 100,000 of population. This contrasts with the national average of 230 beds per 100,000. That speaks for itself. We have a problem in Clonmel. It is like a battle zone. On any day one goes into the hospital there, one will see the walking wounded. It is completely overcrowded with trolleys literally coming out the door. There are mixed wards of male and female patients where there is no dignity in the patient care. There is intolerable pressure on the management and staff of the hospital. They have been seeking help and looking for support. The Minister visited the hospital, and we came to the conclusion that an interim solution is required, namely, a modular-type complement of beds, and that South Tipperary General Hospital should be included under the capital programme review. Many people are criticising the Minister. My view is he is accessible, approachable, sincere and knowledgeable. However, he needs the support of Government because this is a national crisis and it needs a collective response from Government to address it.

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