The so-called Patient Hotel will not be constructed in time to deal with the surge in demand at STGH, but the HSE and the Health Minister are still committed to the plan.

That’s according to Michael Lowry who announced Simon Harris’ support for the idea last month.  This afternoon he said that the planning process and the need to involve the Public Procurement Process have meant that the modular unit will not be constructed by the year’s end and therefore is not included in the HSE Winter Initiative.

However, he says that in today’s document the HSE has outlined its commitment to the project.

Meanwhile, Tipperary is to the see the introduction of a Community Intervention Initiative in which five senior and experienced nurses based in our Lady’s Hospital in Cashel will work with GPs to provide care to patients in their homes or in nursing homes.  This he says, will enable STGH to more free-up beds.

The second is the fitting out of a vacant room at STGH which will act as an overflow ward accommodating five beds and 11 trolleys. 

According to the independent TD, this will have dedicated staff and will provide the privacy that many patients on trolleys cannot receive at the moment.

It is also expected that additional homecare packages for Tipperary will be included in the plan.

Gardai at Cahir garda station are seeking witnesses to the road traffic collision that resulted in the death of 26 year-old Nicola Kenny on Monday.

Nicola was killed when the car which she shared with her mother and aunt was struck by a lorry after stopping on the hard shoulder of the M8.  She had given birth only the day before and was in contact with the hospital regarding her newborn, Lily Rose.

Gardai say the investigation is ongoing and are renewing their appeal for anyone who may have been travelling on the M8 between junctions 9 and 10 northbound between 12pm and 12.30pm on Monday afternoon, or who may have observed the vehicles prior to the collision or indeed the collision itself, to contact Cahir Garda Station on 052 7441222 or any garda station.

Meanwhile Nicola’s funeral took place in Thurles today.

During the service at the Cathedral of the Assumption, Fr Vincent Stapleton urged the hundreds of mourners gathered to take care of baby Lily Rose in her mother’s absence.

Nicola was laid to rest at St Patrick’s Cemetery.