Athlone man awaiting specialist care
Deputy Clarke raised a constituent who has spent six and a half months in Tullamore hospital after a promised transfer to St. James's did not materialise. The Minister said she would pass the details to the relevant Minister and later flagged the case with her.
I want to raise the case of a 54-year-old man in Athlone, a constituent of mine who has now spent six and a half months in Tullamore hospital without access to the treatment he requires. He was told he would be transferred to St. James's Hospital for specialist care but it has since transpired that there is no pathway or any arrangement in place for that to happen. His treatment in Tullamore is complete. He is simply getting his wounds dressed. That is the only reason he is in the hospital six and a half months after first going in, despite repeated representations and efforts from the medical staff in Tullamore. My office contacted the HSE, the Minister and the hospitals but has received no response. It is grossly unfair on the man. He is sitting in a hospital where somebody else is waiting for the bed he is in. I implore the Minister to address this. Nobody should be left in this situation. There is a solution. The medical professionals in St. James's Hospital are aware of the man's situation. Tullamore hospital is aware of his situation. Things need to line up at this point because he cannot continue. It is having a profound impact on his mental health.
Comment on this
The Deputy will appreciate that without knowing the details of the case as to why the man is not being released or sent home or another care facility I cannot comment. I am happy to take the details and pass them directly to the Minister.