Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this critical issue for debate. Local and national media reports over the weekend reported that a number of emergency departments were earmarked for closure. In fact, the first paragraph in the report explicitly stated that the emergency department in the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar was one of nine departments earmarked for closure, despite the fact that a €5 million new accident and emergency unit is under construction. Workers are on the site and it is due to open later this year.

Scaremongering about this subject is totally out of place. It has a huge effect on people, their families and the nurses, doctors, health care attendants and staff working in challenging circumstances in those units. The Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar has been earmarked for a cost-benefit analysis, which is almost complete, for an investment of more than €40 million for four new operating theatres, a new endoscopy unit, a rehabilitation unit and a new intensive care unit. There has been huge investment in the hospital under this Government.

The report concerned, which was on foot of the annual general meeting, AGM, of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI, examines very serious trauma, which accounts for less than 1% of all cases admitted to accident and emergency units. The hospitals in Tullamore and Mullingar are operating at capacity. These reports that a hospital unit will close are based on a report that has not been seen by the Minister or the Department. It is a report relating to one sector in the health service. The decision maker in this regard is the Minister. I telephoned the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, last Sunday night on foot of the rumours that were circulating and he was very clear that no accident and emergency unit in Mullingar is to be closed. The opposite is the fact. When the new unit is opened later this year, I hope people will eat humble pie.

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