Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley says he has read Dr Susan O Reilly’s Plan to Downgrade Portlaoise Hospital.
Deputy Stanley broke the news yesterday about the proposal and he has now revealed that he has actually read the report.
He said: “The plan to downgrade it is in the ‘final draft of the Strategic Plan’ for the Hospital group.
“This is due to be discussed with senior management next Wednesday.
“Both the HSE and the Government have been foot dragging in publishing this for over 2 years.”
According to Deputy Stanley, the document states: “we will develop a 24/7 GP referred medical assessment unit and a 12/7 local injuries unit in the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise in line with national clinical care programmes models of care”.
Mr Stanley said: “So it’s clear what is intended, an 8am to 8pm minor injuries unit and a medical assessment unit.
“They commit to expanding ’emergency department capacity, principally in Tallaght and Tullamore’.
“So these will be upgraded and Portlaoise will be downgraded.
“What is of even greater concern is that the plan prioritises ‘an ambulance by-pass for trauma patients will be implemented at Naas General Hospital’.
“Does the HSE and the Government really believe that it will be ok to have no emergency department between Tallaght and Limerick?
“The number of emergency presentations at Portlaoise continues to increase with a total of 39,282 last year.
“This is far greater than most other regional hospitals including Naas and Tullamore.”
Deputy Stanley says he raised the issue with Minister for HEalth Simon Harris once again and received the following reply: ‘They have been working for some time on a draft plan for a new model of clinical service delivery at Portlaoise Hospital which takes account of the need to develop services at Portlaoise in the context of developing the new model of service provision for the entire Hospital Group’.
Deputy Stanley continued: “He also stated that the plan is “being reviewed in detail” by his department.
“This is simply play acting as it was to be published in September 2015 and has been on the Ministers desk for a year.
“Portlaoise 24 hour ED must be retained, given our position on the road and rail networks, the 2 large prisons adjacent and the rapidly expanding population of the county and the catchment areas it serves in Kildare and Offaly.
“This plan needs to be stopped in its tracks and it’s up to government to act immediately. The ball is in the Government court.”
SEE ALSO – Report proposes downgrade of Portlaoise hospital A&E
