10,000 people protest at hospital plans
An estimated 10,000 people made their views felt during a high-profile rally outside the grounds of the Clonmel-based facility at the weekend.
The protest, organised by the Save Our Hospital Action Group, took place after plans to significantly down-scale the facility were announced by health service management.
They include proposals to remove emergency department services, general surgery, intensive and critical care units, maternity and paediatric services from the hospital, which caters for patients in Tipperary, north Cork and west Waterford.
Speaking at the rally on Saturday, which was supported by Tipperary hurling captain Eoin Kelly and ex-footballer Niall Quinn, consultant surgeon at South Tipperary General Hospital Dr Peter Murchan said the proposed changes would fail to improve patient safety or medical standards.
“This hospital is just three years old, it was officially opened by Minister Harney in 2008. Since that time six new consultants have been appointed and €45m has been spent making it the excellent hospital it is.
“We are not opposed to reconfiguration when it makes sense – the breast cancer services have moved to Waterford in line with the centres of excellence philosophy. But we are opposed to this ill-conceived plan,” he said.
South Tipperary General Hospital currently serves a population of 150,000.
In 2009, it had over 33,600 emergency department admissions and 4,500 day cases, with protesters claiming that demand is due to rise over the coming years.
In Co Galway, thousands of people staged a protest over what unions said was the possible downgrading of services at Portiuncula Hospital. Protest representatives are due to meet Ms Harney at Leinster House on Wednesday to discuss potential alternatives to the plans.
However, in a statement responding to the rally, a HSE spokesperson said there was no reason to fear the imminent health service changes.
The spokesperson continued there would be “no downgrading of services” at both facilities, but confirmed that, “in common with all four acute hospitals in the South-East, the range of services may change in line with best international practice”.
The HSE South’s acute hospital steering group is due to finalise proposals for these service changes at the end of April.
