The hospital has come under fire over the practice following an alleged sexual assault on an 87 year old woman who was placed on a ward with five elderly patients.
This is the second statement from the HSE to Tipp FM news in the wake of an alleged sexual assault of an elderly grandmother who had been admitted to the Clonmel Health facility last week.
A Garda investigation is ongoing into the claims that a male patient in his 70's attacked the elderly grandmother – he still at the hospital but is under 24 hour watch and is awaiting transfer to a suitable long stay facility.
The woman's family who brought the story out in the public are furious with the way South Tipp General handled the situation and are critical of having mixed wards.
In its statement to Tipp FM the HSE say it is not the preferred or agreed practice to mix male and female patients in wards at South Tipperary General Hospital
However a spokesperson pointed out that all hospitals must optimise the availability and occupancy of all bed spaces and in a bid to prevent placing patients on trolleys there are circumstances where mixed wards do occur.
They continued that when this situation arises best practices are in place to protect the privacy and dignity of patients however the HSE regret if these arrangements have been embarrassing for patients and that staff at South Tipp General make every possible effort to ensure a level of dignity for patients in mixed wards.
