Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is understood that the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise is a very busy hospital. Part of the review took account of patient flow. Equally, the appointment of an advanced nurse practitioner and the recruitment of a temporary consultant physician in the accident and emergency department will help to address immediate senior decision-making issues in that department. An additional physician post and replacement posts in endocrinology and care of the elderly are also being advanced. I would not say that such actions are typical of a body that intends to close a hospital. Such measures have been taken by an organisation that is keen to ensure procedures and quality standards are maintained where that can safely be done. This is about shoring up a hospital that needs such support. Nothing I say will give the Deputies any reassurance. That is the job of the Opposition. I have set out the position as it stands. On behalf of the Minister for Health, I assure the House the intention is that patient safety will be paramount at all times when additional decisions are being made regarding the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise. Considerable decisions have already been made.

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