Mattie McGrath urges meeting over St. Bridget's scanner closure
Mattie McGrath expressed sympathy for the McCarthy family and paid tribute to the late Dr. Sean McCarthy, while raising concerns about the closure of the scanner at St. Bridget's Hospital. He urged the Deputy Taoiseach to meet the Action Committee and local councils to re-evaluate the decision and highlighted large petition efforts by staff and the community.
Tribute to Dr. Sean McCarthy
Mattie McGrath offered condolences on behalf of the people of Tipperary and West Waterford, describing Dr. Sean McCarthy as a noble doctor, an outstanding medical practitioner and GP, an accomplished sportsman and a public representative whose contribution to local wellbeing was significant.
St. Bridget's scanner and local petition drive
He reported that staff, nursing teams and the community are collecting large numbers of petitions in support of St. Bridget's Hospital and that local groups plan to protest at the Convention Centre to register their opposition to the scanner closure. McGrath said people trust the hospital and would place their loved ones in its care because of the valued service it provides.
Request for meeting and re-evaluation
McGrath asked the Deputy Taoiseach to meet with the Action Committee, Tipperary County Council representatives and others involved to re-evaluate the decision to close the scanner at St. Bridget's Hospital and to hear the concerns of local people.
Deputy Taoiseach's response and ongoing contacts
The Deputy Taoiseach replied that he was not aware of a formal meeting request to his office but expressed willingness to meet. He confirmed contact with the McCarthy family and noted that the HSE had been in touch with local deputies, describing the issue as ongoing.
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I'd like to express my sympathy and that of the people of Tipperary, West Waterford, to the McCarthy family on the set passing of Dr. Sean McCarthy, a noble doctor who served the public of Tipperary and West Waterford so well and beyond. Chief, I have to return on a medical issue to Carrick and Shure St Bridges Hospital. You promised me umpteen times here that you'd meet with Council Cianbrook, the Councils in Tipperary County Council and the Action Committee. They are forced now tomorrow to come up protesting with a petition to the Convention Centre, the district hospital, the state-of-the-art building and the medical staff and nursing staff are forced to collect petitions and the petitions are a huge response that people would put their loved ones in that hospital because they are trusted, they are valued and appreciated and the care they got. Will you meet with those people and the Action Committee and re-evaluate the Scanner's decision to close down that hospital? Thank you Deputy Taoiseach. As I said before, I am not aware if they have been in touch with my office in terms of a formal meeting and so on, but I would be willing to meet. By the way, of course, I have been in touch with the McCarthy family and I hope we get an opportunity to properly pay tribute to Dr. Sean McCarthy, an outstanding medical practitioner and GP, an outstanding sportsman as well. And, of course, a wonderful Deputy Senator and Minister for State and I hope we get that opportunity to pay due tribute to him and his contribution to public life and to the wellbeing of the people of Tipperary and the country. In terms of St. Bridget's, again, I think the HSE has been in touch with the Deputies of the area, it is an ongoing issue. it is an ongoing issue but uh thank you
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