Laois 'uproar' and 'fight' needed to protect another hospital from downgrade

The uproar and fight shown be politicians in Laois against the downgrade of Portlaoise hospital has been highlighted in the Dáil as an example of what is needed to face a hospital facing cutbacks.

Johnny Guirke, a Sinn Féin TD for Meath West, is against the downgrade of Navan Hospital where the A&E is due to shut to be replaced by a 24 hour injuries unit.

He contrasted the response displayed by public representatives in Laois in 2017 when the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise was also staring at downgrade by the HSE. He spoke about the issue in the Dáil.

"As the Minister knows, we are surrounded by hospitals that are under extreme pressure. Does it not make more sense to protect and enhance the emergency department in Navan, thereby taking the pressure off Connolly Hospital and the hospitals in Drogheda, Cavan and Mullingar?

"In 2017, the HSE wanted to close the emergency department in Portlaoise general hospital and there was uproar from the politicians in Co Laois. All we ask is that we get the same opportunity as people in Portlaoise did to protect, enhance and retain the services in Navan hospital. Perhaps if we had three Ministers in our county fighting our corner as hard as Ministers fought in County Laois, we would be able to attend our services," he said.

Some five years after a HSE downgrade plan for Laois caused the 'uproar' and major protests in Laois, the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly visited Portlaoise in recent weeks where he backed the retention of services in the hospital.

In 2017 the HSE proposed shutting the Portlaoise Emergency Department ahead of a phased move of maternity, paediatrics, ICU and most surgery to other hospitals mainly in the Dublin Midland Hospital group.

The process was due to have been completed in 2022 under the HSE plan with Portlaoise staying open for diagnostics and minor injuries.