The South-Eastern Health Board are responsible for the provision of health services in South Tipperary. St. Vincent's Hospital, Tipperary Town, was closed by the board in June 1987. I understand that an annual saving of £390,000 accrued to the board as a result. There were no additional costs incurred by the board in relocating staff and patients.
It is difficult to compare the cost of treatment in acute and district hospitals as the treatment provided and length of stay are much different. However, when St. Vincent's closed in 1987, the average cost per in-patient case was £1,281.66 compared to an average cost of £742.52 per in-patient case in acute hospitals.
The buildings which previously accommodated the district hospital have been adapted for use as a community care day centre, a psychiatric day centre and community care offices. I provided £40,000 from lottery funding in 1988 to enable the necessary renovations to be carried out. The new facilities opened in 1988 and they have greatly strengthened community care services in the area.
