Tipperary TD vows to get answers to questions around Cashel Community Nursing Unit

Tipperary Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne has signalled his intention to get answers and clarity in terms of the future of the planned Community Nursing Unit in Cashel, when he meets representatives of the HSE.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Deputy Browne said: “Since plans for the development of a Community Nursing Unit at the campus of St Patrick’s Hospital changed earlier this year, I have been consistent in calling for clarity about the HSE’s plans for the unit, and for clear reasoning behind the decision to no longer locate it on the St Patrick’s site."

He said that "unfortunately", the information that had been provided to date had raised more questions than had been answered.

“I have persistently called for all local representatives to work together to get certainty about the unit’s future, and the plans for St Patrick’s. But this call was ignored by the very representatives who then accuse others of playing political football with the issue," he said.

Deputy Browne said that the the same representatives had excluded members of the Regional Health Forum and non-government-aligned representatives from a meeting with Minister Butler on the matter.

“A photo opportunity is all they came away with following that meeting. No clear answers were provided. Instead, they asked us to take the Minister’s vague assurances at face value. Now they admit to a lack of clarity surrounding the whole issue, and hypocritically, they call on others to engage with them," he said..

Deputy Browne said that he was pleased that his call for a meeting with the HSE had been agreed to and was provisionally scheduled to take place around the end of the month.

"I will spare no effort in getting answers and making the case for the CNU to be located at St Patrick’s. But I will also be making it clear to the HSE that the lack of transparency on this matter has been unacceptable, and must not be repeated," he said.

Deputy Browne said that following this briefing, he will arrange a public meeting.