Independent TD for Tipperary Mattie McGrath has said Michael Lowry's "solo run" on the issue of a patient hotel at Clonmel Hospital is "a retrograde step".
At the weekend Independent TD Mr Lowry announced details of a 40 bed extension to Clonmel hospital – a patient hotel. He told local radio station Tipp FM that the HSE had confirmed to him that they are fully committed to a patient hotel.
“It’s a retrograde step,” said Mr McGrath. “We need the services to the public to be improved and we need unity, united action, not solo runs like this, they’re not helpful. Nothing is sanctioned yet.”
Mr McGrath told RTÉ's Morning Ireland: "Michael has a habit of announcing things, we had a casino announced before — that didn't develop, we had a by pass in Thurles announced which we should have had ten years ago, the town is chronic with traffic, there's many issues.
"This is the first time that this issue of the hospital has been politicised in an individual way. We've worked together as a team, the former minister Tom Hayes, former minister Martin Manseragh, Seamus Healy, myself, we all go in tandem, this is the first time that some consultants have gone off with one politician, some of them have even campaigned with him."
Mr McGrath added: “They are prepared to proceed on the basis that Clonmel will be the first, a pilot project of its kind in the country. It will be used for pre and post operative patients as a step down facility, where they still require to be close to medical facilities.”
Mr McGrath said that when a consultant in the hospital in Clonmel contacted him with this idea he took it straight away to the Taoiseach, the then Minister for health Leo Varadkar and Simon Harris when he was appointed.
“Nothing has been decided — it’ s not the first of its kind, there is a similar facility operating in Cork at University Hospital. You cannot get staff and in this system the staff are provided with it.
“It’s a very expensive temporary solution. We need something before the winter comes in. During the government talks €40million was agreed for the winter months to alleviate the crisis in A&Es and we only want a share of that. We need to get investment in our hospital and the patient hotel will be only a temporary arrangement.”
He continued: “It’s a pity Deputy Lowry, under the previous government, allowed Nenagh general hospital to be down graded and the A&E to be closed, that put massive pressure on Clonmel, it’s not a matter of credit or who got what, something has to be done to help the situation in south Tipperary.”
Consultant physician at South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel, Professor Paud O’Regan, said that if planning permission is not an issue then the modular ‘patient hotel’ could be in place within ten days.
He told the Today with Sean O'Rourke show on RTÉ radio that the cost of the unit will be €1500 per bed per week which is €60,000 per week and compares with the current cost of €1000 per day to keep a patient in hospital.
Prof O’Regan also said that he and another consultant had accompanied Mr Lowry to talks with the Department of Health on the issue.
"The difference between Michael Lowry and the other TDs in the area is that he is a supporter of the government so he has more clout. The Government is going to look more kindly on a supporter than members of the opposition."
The consultant physician also said that the term ‘patient hotel’ was not a good description for the modular units which contain single rooms with ensuite bathrooms and come with their own staff.
They can be put in place with no delay, unless there is an issue with planning permission, he said. There is no such existing facility in Ireland but they are already very successful in Scandinavia and the UK.
