Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I heard the Minister's speech when I was in the Chair. I congratulate the Minister and Minister of State on their new roles. I wish them well.

She outlined the massive increase in funding from €14 billion to almost €26 billion. I have a personal story to relate and the heading of tonight's debate is appropriate. It hurts me. My lifelong friend who is 90 years of age, celebrated two weeks ago, was in hospital for a week in Clonmel in St. Joseph's Hospital, south Tipperary general. He was forced out of the hospital by a couple of doctors on Monday evening into a convalescent home many miles away. When he arrived, he was not fit to be there. He did not want to go. His wonderful niece, Mary, who was minding him, was remonstrating all day. I was involved in the case and he was moved because he had no one to advocate for him. He is 90 years of age, a powerful tradesman, a wonderful neighbour and a true friend. It should not have happened. Our elderly people are being mistreated in hospitals. An advocate is meant to be present, but apparently she had not seen him. Two or three doctors came to talk to a 90-year old man to tell him he was fit to go.

He was not fit to go. He was a week in bed. He had only been out of bed once that morning and he has now, unfortunately, gone to his eternal reward. The hospital is apologetic but that is no good.

I perish to think of old people who have no one to advocate for them. They are cast aside. In all the millions and all the bureaucracy, they are cast aside and there is no patient advocacy person. Two doctors should not talk to a man like that who was quite deaf. He had not wanted to go and was in fear but they tell me he said he would go. It is shameful this happened in the modern day in 2025 in that hospital in Clonmel. It is not acceptable. The family are devastated, obviously, as are his extended family, his friends and his neighbours. It was so unfortunate. If he was a bed blocker and was there for a month, I would say something, but he was there for one week. I visited him last Sunday night week and he went to the hospital the morning after because of issues with standing up and getting up. He was fine with a bit of treatment but he was not fit to be discharged to that area. He should not have been. It is very sad.

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