A Tipperary TD has called for the use of community hospitals to ease the overcrowding crisis.
Deputy Jackie Cahill made the call as the number of patients on trolleys increases yet again.
The Tipperary Fianna Fail representative has pointed to the Hospital of the Assumption in Thurles as one of the hospitals which could be better utilised.
It provides step down beds, palliative care beds, respite and long term care for older people and patients recovering from accidents.
Deputy Cahill says this is negatively impacting patient’s recovery and may even lead to re-admission.
There are nearly 100 people waiting for a bed today in hospitals serving the Tipperary region.
Limerick University Hospital – which serves North Tipp – is the most overcrowded in the country with 58 people in need of a bed.
While in Clonmel, South Tipp General has 38 people waiting on trolleys in the Emergency Department and in overflow areas of wards.
Deputy Cahill says that investment in Thurles and Cashel would be a low-cost solution to the issue of overcrowding in Tipperary hospitals.
