Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

I understand Deputy Naughten was speaking with Dr. O'Keeffe, who manages the three hospitals, this week and he is familiar with the arrangements. This week, I had a meeting at HSE on this point and others, including emergency units, and I am assured that 24-7 services will continue. I cannot guarantee it will continue forever but I can guarantee the best endeavours are being used as we speak to ensure we maintain services for the region. The future for Roscommon County Hospital, Galway University Hospital and Portiuncula is to work together as a single hospital, albeit on three sites. There is no doubt in my mind on this point in terms of staffing, recruitment of required expertise, the financial perspective and the perspective of patients. Many patients from Roscommon still go to Galway and procedures could be supplied in the local hospital if the three hospitals worked as one. There are a number of benefits when three hospitals work as one and that is the future.

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