A war of words has broken out over possible solutions to the chronic overcrowding situation at South Tipperary General Hospital.
Independent TD Michael Lowry claimed in recent weeks that the way had been cleared for a “patient hotel” to provide a swift short term answer.
However it now seems very unlikely that this will happen any time soon.
Overcrowding has been a huge issue at South Tipperary General right through this summer with fears that it will get much worse as winter approaches.
There had been hopes that a much vaunted “patient hotel” would provide a short term solution to the problem with Deputy Michael Lowry claiming on Tipp FM recently that it could be in place within weeks.
However today the Thurles TD admitted this would not now be the case.
Deputy Lowry has been accused of making false promises by his constituency colleagues – Fianna Fails Jackie Cahill and Labours Alan Kelly.
Deputy Kelly – who is the party spokesman on Health – says there is no silver bullet to resolve the overcrowding problem.
However he is hoping that things will improve in the short term.
Deputy Jackie Cahill says Michael Lowry was still claiming at a meeting in South Tipp General last week that the “patient hotel” was going to resolve the overcrowding problems this winter.
The Fianna Fail representative says there are still solutions available to the KSE.
