Health Minister only 'considering' consultation on Portlaoise hospital claims Laois TD
The Minister for Health has not committed to consultation on Portlaoise hospital and its Accident and Emergency Department, according to a Laois TD.
Fianna Fáil TD Sean Fleming said that on last Tuesday 24th July, on the Dáil record, Minister Simon Harris confirmed in writing that he was “currently giving consideration to a process for wider consultation".
“Yet, we had local Minister Flanagan saying the Minister told him the previous week that the consultation process was underway. These statements flatly contradict each other and they are damaging to the future of services in Portlaoise Hospital.
“Minister Harris can clarify this by announcing today, who is the person leading the consultation process, when they were appointed and publish the terms of reference of this consultation process. If this has not been done, it means the statement by the local Minister, perhaps unfortunately, may have something to do with the Fine Gael General Election selection convention which is on tonight (Monday) rather than the future of Portlaoise Hospital.
“I am not saying that this is the case but I would be alarmed if it is behind the announcement at the weekend.
“I would also express concern that when a consultation process is established in view of the fact that it was promised to the three Oireachtas Members over seven months ago, that the people know the process they are getting involved in by reviewing the terms of reference in advance.
The Fianna Fáil TD said it must not be consultation on a existing downgrade plan.
“If the terms of reference are connected with the Draft Plan for Portlaoise Hospital people and groups, in good faith, could be dragged into a process of approving the closure/reduction in services in the A&E Department and the closure of the Maternity and Paediatric Unit and other facilities in the hospital. Any consultation process cannot be based on the action plan already on the Minister's desk.
“The best form of action at this stage is for Minister Harris to reject the devastating action plan for Portlaoise Hospital and engage in a fresh new consultation process with a positive approach to the hospital” said Deputy Fleming.
Laois TD and Minister for Justice Charle Flanagan said he had spoken with Minister Harris and his colleague had committed to the process.