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

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to raise this very important matter as regards CAT scanner equipment at South Tipperary General Hospital. The Minister for Health and Children has some serious questions to answer on this whole issue.

Why is this vitally important equipment being housed in a prefab? Several years ago people in south Tipperary held a large number of very successful fundraising events to buy the CAT scanning equipment. However, it was housed in a prefab and there are difficulties. I recently visited the hospital to see at first-hand patients being carried over on trolleys to use the equipment. The staff are at a serious disadvantage on the whole issue. Union agreement is not in place because no consensus can be reached as regards the temporary structure. It is therefore essential that a new building is put in place.

Recently a transfer of services took place between Clonmel and Cashel. At all stages everybody in south Tipperary had accepted and waited for the time when a new building would be available. In that event, a union agreement could be put in place which would allow people to work the CAT scanner 24 hours a day. Instead patients are being sent to Waterford while the equipment stands idle at certain times of the night and at weekends. It is therefore essential that this equipment be properly located.

Whenever I raise this matter, as I have done many times, even in the Seanad, I was told it was a matter for the health board. I hope the Minister of State will have some positive information in this regard or that he can tell me at what stage in the future this issue will be addressed by the Government.

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Harney, the Minister for Health and Children.

As the Deputy will be aware, operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive, HSE. The Deputy will also be aware that until January 2007, acute hospital services in south Tipperary were provided on two sites, South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel, and Our Lady's Hospital, Cashel. Acute hospital services amalgamated in Clonmel in January 2007 following a major capital development to facilitate the transfer of accident and emergency, general surgery and oncology services from Cashel at a cost of €30 million. Funds raised by the local community funded the purchase of the CAT equipment and the provision of a temporary CAT building at Clonmel pending the provision of a permanent building.

The HSE has advised that South Tipperary General Hospital currently provides a CAT service five days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The service is provided to hospital inpatients, outpatients and emergency patients. Some 3,000 scans were undertaken in 2006. Emergency patients who require CAT scans out of hours and at weekends are mainly sent to Cork and Dublin, depending on diagnosis and condition.

The HSE has further advised that an extended CAT service is not in place due to ongoing industrial relations issues with radiographers. The provision of an extended service has also yet to be agreed with the consultant radiologists. The HSE has advised that a permanent CAT building will be completed as part of the €2.2 million expansion of the accident and emergency department. This project is currently in the planning phase.

It is a matter for the HSE to consider the progression of this new development at South Tipperary General Hospital in the context of the overall capital and revenue funding resources available to it.