Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

The process in the mid-west, which will be similar to the services in the south and elsewhere, involves the reduction of accident and emergency units to a 12-hour service, the removal of all surgery bar day surgery through the lack of surgeons available on a 24-hour basis and the events occurring in respect of the medical team. This gradual removal, the first element of which will occur in the mid-west in April, is of concern to people, as the Minister has not committed to making the investment that will be necessary to allow the smaller hospitals to fulfil their important economic and community service roles. Nor will money be invested in tertiary hospitals.

During these times of cutbacks, people are fearful that all of the service reductions will occur, beginning with accident and emergency units and followed by surgery and medical services, but that none of the positives about which the Minister speaks so eloquently will be forthcoming. This is a fear even among those who believe that some of the Minister's proposal is a good idea. With genuine reason, they are concerned that the proposal will be used to reduce services in smaller hospitals without making a return.

See this speech in context