Utilise Our Lady's Hospital Cashel, Co. Tipperary to its full capacity - Cllr Wood

Cllr Tom Wood called on Cashel Tipperary Municipal District to support his request that the HSE fully utilise Our Lady’s Hospital.

Cllr Wood referred to the “obvious capacity” which still exists at Our Lady’s Hospital. “12 months ago I was told they were unable to put in beds. At least try to maximise the potential for people here and in adjacent counties, that they would not have to go to an acute hospital.” Of 168 hours in the week, Our Lady’s is open “35 hours a week.”

With hundreds of thousands of people, young and old, awaiting appointments and various treatments, many for a lengthy period of time, this Municipal Authority calls on the Minister for Health and the HSE to maximise the potential of Our Lady’s Hospital, Cashel, renovated at a cost of €13m and only operational Monday/Friday, 9am to 5pm. Thousands of people from this county and adjoining counties could be treated here.”

Management responded, that “subject to the agreement of the members, the Council will write to the Minister for Health and the HSE regarding this matter.”

Coincidentally, said Cllr Wood, the matter came up at a meeting of the Regional Health Forum. Ms Anna Marie Lanigan, Interim Chief Officer, SE Community Healthcare, stated that Our Lady's “no longer has acute hospital services but a range of diverse primary care and community orientated services to people in Cashel and surrounding areas.

“The current campus (is).. operating on a 24-hour, seven days a week basis to thos that use the facility as a base to provide care homes. The teams provide services across a range of care groups.. and in addition, other agencies including TUSLA, Cuain Saoir, and the Irish Wheelchair Association provide services on a sessional/weekly basis.”