Tipperary Sinn Fein TD Martin Browne has called for the HSE to reconsider it’s intention to purchase land at Palmers Hill, Cashel for the development of a 60 bed Community Nursing Unit, and to consider adapting Our Lady’s Cashel as a better alternative.
Deputy Brown raised the issue with the Tánaiste Michael Martin and outlined the history of the project as the HSE have ruled out land at St Patrick’s Hospital and the existing Our Lady’s Hospital as viable locations for the Unit.
The HSE is now in discussions to buy land adjacent to a site it owns in Palmers Hill – Deputy Browne is not in favour of this proposal as the community preference is locate the unit in the town centre, he does not think the Palmers Hill site is suitable for the proposed construction and queries why funding will be used to purchase land rather than invest in adapting the former Our Lady’s Hospital building. The former Our Lady’s Hospital was modified during the pandemic to move 40 residents from St Patricks to the vacant parts of the hospital. These same residents will use the new Unit if/when it is constructed.
Deputy Browne is also concerned that selecting a greenfield site will mean delays in getting the unit up and running resulting in the existing accommodation being put in place at the former Our Lady’s hospital being relicensed by HIQA on a regular basis.
The Tánaiste says he favours the construction of new state of the art facilities but committed to raise the matter with the HSE.
