There were many who doubted that a new 40 bed unit at Tipperary University Hospital in Clonmel could or would ever materialise. When it was first mooted, it was described as a pipe-dream, a fairytale with no end. Today that fairytale has the happiest of endings as An Taoiseach, Micheal Martin officially opens the new Surgical 3 and Medical 4 Units at the hospital.
Amongst those attending the opening is Deputy Michael Lowry and none could be happier to see this wish become a reality. ‘Today is a proud day for me’ he said. ‘I have been involved with this project since the idea to build it was first raised. It was clear at that time that increased facilities were needed in the busy hospital. I met on several occasions with Hospital Management and, in turn, with both the Departments of Health and Finance to get the project approved. I have visited the site many times during the building and early furnishing phases. The result we see today is a gold standard unit that is unrivaled across the country. I consider this to be one of the biggest achievements in my political career’
The ultra-modern 40 bed unit at Tipperary University Hospital comprises an overall 3,300sq.m. area, 1,700 sq m of which is working floor area. It is a two-story modular building, designed and erected by Extra Space Solutions.
The unit comprises 20 single en-suite rooms on the lower level Surgical area, with the same number of individual rooms on the upper-level Medical floor. All rooms provide for isolation care if required and are fitted out to the highest possible standard.
In addition to greatly assisting the hospital by providing a solution to overcrowding in the Emergency Department and the main hospital, the new units also increase the capacity to provide
elective procedures.
‘The provision of this unit marks the first significant investment in the hospital for many years. From the very early days of planning for the unit right up to the present day, there has been a dedicated partnership approach across the board. I pay a huge tribute to the Management and staff at the Hospital who, despite the setbacks during the Pandemic, never lost sight of their vision. Today they see the results of that commitment and hear the praise and compliments from patients and families. Today is a proud day for Tipperary University Hospital’ concludes Deputy Lowry.
