Mattie McGrath Condemns Hospital Discharge of 90-Year-Old Friend
Mattie McGrath recounted a personal case in which a 90-year-old lifelong friend was discharged from hospital despite not being fit to go, and criticised the decision as unacceptable. He acknowledged a large funding increase referenced by the minister but argued that elderly patients are still being mistreated and left without advocates.
Personal case raised
McGrath described a 90-year-old friend who spent a week in hospital at Clarence, St. Joseph's, St. Peter Prairie General and was moved on a Monday evening to a distant convalescent facility. He said the man had been in bed most of the week, was quite deaf, did not want to go and that his niece Mary had been advocating for him.
Allegations of mistreatment and lack of advocacy
McGrath said two or three doctors told the elderly man he was fit for discharge despite his condition and lack of an advocate at the meeting. He argued that elderly patients are being cast aside in a system of bureaucracy and that it is shameful this occurred in 2025.
Outcome and hospital response
According to McGrath, the patient later "went to his eternal reward" and the hospital expressed apologies; McGrath said the family and extended community were devastated. He recounted his personal involvement and concern that the man had no one to effectively advocate for him.
Funding context and criticism
McGrath referenced the minister's outline of funding rising from 14 billion to nearly 26, saying the increase does not excuse the treatment of elderly patients. He used the example to highlight what he described as systemic failures in elder care and patient advocacy.
Closing remarks
McGrath concluded by expressing shame that such a discharge could happen in a modern hospital in Clonmel and repeated that the situation was not acceptable. His closing included a lighter, social-media style sign-off asking listeners to like, share and subscribe and to leave comments.
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Let's dive into the discussions shaping the nation. Goor maha, goot. Minister, I heard your speech. I was in the chair, actually, at the staff, and I congratulate both of your ministers, your new roles, or all of you. Wish you well. You're outlining the funding and the massive increase in funding from 14 billion to now to nearly 26, I think you said. But minister, I have a personal story to relate about it, and this heading tonight is very appropriate, and it really hurts me. My lifelong friend of 90 years of age celebrated two weeks ago was in the hospital for a week in Clarence, St. Joseph's, St. Peter Prairie General, and he was forced out of that hospital by a couple of doctors on Monday evening into a convalescent many, many miles away. When he arrived there, he wasn't fit to be there. He didn't want to go. His niece, wonderful niece, Mary, who was minding him, was remonstrating all day. I was involved in the case myself, and he was moved because he had no one to advocate for him. 90 years of age, powerful tradesman, wonderful neighbour, and a true friend, and it shouldn't have happened. So our elderly people are being mistreated in hospitals. There's meant to be an advocate present there. She hadn't seen him, apparently. When two or three doctors come to talk to a 90-year-old man, tell him you're fit to go, he wasn't fit to go. He was a week in bed, had only been out of bed once that morning, and he's now, unfortunately, gone to his eternal reward, and I think the hospital are apologetic. That's no good. I perished to think of old people who have no one to advocate for him. They're cast aside in all the millions and the billions and the bureaucracy, cast aside. And he's a patient advocacy person. So two doctors shouldn't talk to a man like that, who was deaf, was quite deaf, and knew he didn't want to go, in fear. And he told me that he said he'd go. It is shameful that this happened in a modern day, in 2025, in that hospital in Clonmel, and it's not acceptable. And the family are devastated, obviously, his extended family is one of his friends and neighbours, because it was so unfortunate. If he was a bed blocker, was there for a month, I'd say something. He was there one week. I visited last Sunday night week, and he went to hospital the morning after, because of the issue with his standing up, getting up. He was fine with a bit of treatment, but he was not fit to be discharged to that area, so he shouldn't have been. Thank you. And I think he's very, very sad. Good morning, good. Like, share, and subscribe, and let us know your thoughts in the comments. We'd love to hear from you.
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