Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I asked this question, which the Minister has not answered twice this morning, because five of the six options contained in the west-north west hospital group's report suggested the closure of Portiuncula Hospital's obstetrician-led maternity services. The sixth option - to do nothing - was dismissed. Of the hospitals in the group, Portiuncula is the safest, one of the most efficient and the second largest. This week, the group's management team issued a statement to the effect that the current review would be subsumed by the national review of maternity services. I am concerned by this, as it will not lead to the best possible patient outcome or the provision of the safest possible services.

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