HSE criticised at Oireachtas hearing over loss of Carrick-on-Suir's palliative care suites

The loss of St Brigid’s three palliative care suites was strongly criticised at the Petitions Committee hearing by Oireachtas members  who highlighted how the unit meant people from Carrick-on-Suir and its hinterland could be near their loved ones in their last days. 

South East Community Healthcare Chief Officer Kate Killeen-White informed the hearing that a new 20-bed specialist palliative care unit run by a specialist multidisciplinary team opened at Waterford University Hospital in 2021 while six palliative care beds are currently provided in south Tipperary.  They include two in St Anthony’s Unit in Clonmel, two in St Theresa’s Hospital in Clogheen and two in Cluain Arann in Tipperary Town.  

Ms Killeen-White pointed out that there have been admissions from south Tipperary to the new unit in Waterford city.

She added that it was the HSE’s experience that people are choosing more to remain at home for end of life care and its services are supporting that choice. 

Oireachtas Public Petitions Committee member Senator Gerard Craughwell wasn’t impressed.   He said what was needed was services in the community, not to force  people to travel 60 to 100km  to visit a loved one dying. 

“All of us here have had relatives who received palliative care. The added burden of travel is simply unacceptable,” he declared. 

Tipperary TDs Martin Browne, who is Petitions Committee Chairman, and Jackie Cahill agreed.  

Deputy Browne said what the HSE was doing was the complete opposite of providing palliative care in the communities where people lived. 

“Clogheen (St Theresa’s) is 45km away from Carrick and Tipperary Town (Cluain Arann) is 61km away. It’s not like in big urban areas where you can jump on a bus or a Luas. 

“We have all had people who received palliative care. You get a phone call that one of your loved ones is on the way out. 

“Trying to get 60km (to visit them), you may as well be going to the moon to get to that family member.”

Deputy Cahill said St Brigid’s palliative care beds had been the envy of any hospital. Two had lounges off them and the third had a sunroom off it. 

He   told the hearing a lot of Carrick-on-Suir people didn’t have their own transport and it was “completely impractical” for them to travel to Clogheen and Tipperary Town. 

The Fianna Fail TD  also expressed concern that the latest correspondence he received from Minister for Older People Mary Butler indicated only one  palliative care bed is included in plans for the new St Anthony’s Unit in Clonmel. 

Helen McDaid, South East Community Healthcare’s  Head of Services for Older Persons, clarified that there will be a “minimum” of two palliative care beds in the new St Anthony’s Unit. 

She stressed there is availability of palliative care beds for  patients. “ We would be encouraging those that require that service to look for it because there is capacity there.” 

Ms Killeen-White, meanwhile, said people in Carrick-on-Suir and surrounding areas who require convalescent and respite care are also being supported in the HSE’s St Theresa’s Hospital in Clogheen; Cluain Arann, Tipperary and St Anthony’s Unit, Clonmel. 

She said the HSE  has also contracted one respite bed in a private nursing home in Carrick-on-Suir and one respite bed in a private nursing  home in Clonmel.