Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to address this important issue and the fact three relevant Ministers are present. The HSE statement to local media on 3 June set the issue off, but there was some information about it beforehand. The relevant part of the statement referred to a complex planning process that, in the medium to longer term, will result in a reduction in emergency department opening hours overnight.

I do not need to make the case for the hospital in terms of the number of patients, motorways, the two large prisons in the area and that we need to have accident and emergency services available so that people can be brought in within the golden hour. It is not a case of parochialism and the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, knows that. This is a case of cold logic in terms of life and death.

The HIQA report highlighted shortcomings in the hospital in regard to a number of services, in particular maternity services. I compliment the Minister for the work that has been done regarding maternity services. It was long overdue. The Minister took the bull by the horns, did what needed to be done and recruited 16 extra front-line staff, which I welcome.

Dr. Susan O'Reilly, CEO of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group, said on 26 February, "I intend to have 24 hours ED services continue in Portlaoise. You have surgical services that can provide general surgery. They need to be strengthened. I am confident we can continue to provide safe services." That is very clear. On 14 May the Minister said that the risk to patients in Portlaoise emergency department is very low as there are consultant staff and everyone is under the governance of a named consultant.

I want the Minister to address Government policy regarding regional hospitals like Portlaoise hospital where there is a long distance between accident and emergency units and they are strategically located on a road network, as well as taking the prison situation into account.

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