Tipperary Sinn Fein TD Martin Browne is calling for progress on the site assessment for the 60 bed Community Nursing Unit planned for Cashel. The project was originally due to be submitted for planning permission in 2019 located at St Patrick’s Hospital. The HSE revealed that as of February this year it considers this site unsuitable and has been reviewing a site on land it owns at Palmers Hill, Cashel since then.
Deputy Browne says the HSE and the Department have been slow to give any update on site evaluation. In May Minister for Older People Mary Butler confirmed the HSE land at Palmers hill was under consideration and concerns were raised regarding access and issues with the natural layout of the ground – the HSE indicated that a new entrance might be created to overcome the access issue.
Browne has proposed using Our Lady’s Hospital for the CNU as at present 40 residents are in the former hospital since the pandemic. The HSE informed Deputy Browne last week that because Our Lady’s currently consists primarily of 3-bed wards it would not be conducive for single ensuite rooms. In addition, the HSE says Our Lady’s Hospital will become the Primary Care/Enhanced Community Centre for Cashel and surrounding areas when the residents currently on site are relocated to the new CNU once it is built.
Deputy Browne says the lack of progress in selecting the site is delaying the project and could see it being delayed indefinitely. The Sinn Fein TD is requesting more information on the option of using Our Lady’s to provide an immediate and town centre location and on when a decision about the viability of the Palmers Hill site as a location is likely to be made.
Tipp Mid West sought an update from the HSE on November 17th – none received to date.
