Cashel based Councillor Declan Burgess has released the details of the response issued to him by the HSE in respect of a request for an update on a HSE assessment of HSE owned land at Palmer’s Hill as a site for a promised 60 bed community nursing unit.
The response repeated the HSE’s commitment to the project but provided no details whatsoever about the site review. Cllr Burges says the Palmers Hill site is clearly unsuited and describes the response as “a slap in the face to St Patrick’s hospital once again.” The Councillor says he doesn’t understand the secrecy about the site review and has now asked Minister Mary Butler to provide clarity on the site review.
The Cllr says he conveyed his anger and disappointment to the HSE during yesterday’s meeting of the South Regional Health Forum and describes the lack of engagement and respect shown as very concerning.
Cllr Burgess highlights that the Government has committed to funding the project but needs the HSE to choose a site as soon as possible. Cllr Burgess now wants the suitability of 2.5 acre site behind the existing 21 bed Assessment unit at St Patricks to be urgently examined by the HSE estates office.
The is the text of the motion the councillor tabled in advance of the meeting –
“A report/assessment of the HSE owned lands at Palmer’s Hill Cashel was due back the end of May. This assessment was conducted to see if lands were a viable option for the proposed 60 bed community nursing unit for Cashel. Can management please outline the findings of that report? “
Response from HSE:
“As part of its range of services being provided in the Cashel area, the HSE is committed to the development of a new Community Nursing Unit for Older Persons there. The planned new Community Nursing Unit is part of the HSE’s Capital Plan and is a priority for capital funding allocation. Following examinations of the existing St. Patrick’s Hospital site in Cashel, that location has been deemed insufficient by the HSE for construction of a 60 ensuite single bedroomed CNU. Alternative sites in the Cashel town area will be looked at by the HSE, towards suitability to accommodate construction and operation of such a new CNU”.
Cllr Burgess says he is confident that the facility will be delivered in Cashel and that residents and staff will not have to move elsewhere.
