Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

In the brief time available to me I would like to address the situation in my constituency, with particular reference to the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise which is not a district, county or general hospital but a regional hospital that over the past 12 months carried out 41,825 accident and emergency procedures. This to my mind places the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise in a most different place to those hospitals referred to in the debate thus far this evening.

It is totally unacceptable to have to highlight again in this House the total breakdown of trust between the people of County Laois and the Health Service Executive. The Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise was consistently bled of funds by the previous Administration. Rumour and counter rumour are swirling about that accident and emergency services at the hospital are to be terminated as and from next week. I would like clarification on this issue as soon as possible to allay the genuine fears of the people in my constituency concerned about their health services.

Last week, the Central Statistics Office released under Census 2011 figures in respect of County Offaly which, unlike in any other county in the country, has experienced a population growth of unprecedented levels, an increase of 20% in population over the past five years. Portlaoise is unique in that on any given day up to 800 prisoners may require emergency treatment given the nature of our prison system. Good quality health care and a service that people in my constituency can have confidence in is absolutely paramount.

I do not have any medical expertise. I was elected by the people as a public representative. I confess that medical specialty is not among my talents. I will never profess to be an expert on medical issues. I will be guided by what the clinical practitioners say, both locally and nationally. However, I will require best practice for my constituents and will fight to ensure the health service be quantifiable in terms of service. I would like the Minister, whom I congratulate on his efforts in difficult circumstances, to facilitate the recruitment of the non-consultant hospital doctor team for the next six months. I understand that great progress has been made at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise and I am confident the team in white coats will be in place for Monday next. However, I want to see additional matters at the hospital addressed, including the availability of a 24 hour CT scan. I want clarification in regard to the health service delivery plan for the people of County Laois which I have sought from the HSE over the past 12 months, to no avail.

I refer again to the total breakdown of trust which will require the Minister's personal intervention and leadership, which I look forward to. The ambulance service was mentioned. This, too, is a serious issue in Portlaoise. I thank the Deputies opposite for facilitating this debate, to which we will have to return. I make no apology for fighting for my constituents, albeit as a layman in terms of medical expertise and clinical diagnosis. However, like every other Deputy in the House, I hope we can have a service in all our areas in which the people can have a fair degree of confidence.

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