Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Any extra cash is welcome but HIQA has said the extra money is being eaten up in expensive temporary staff, such as locums and agency staff. HIQA also said this had significant implications for the budget of the hospital going forward. The minor medical assessment unit, operating between 9 a.m and 5 p.m, is no replacement for 24-hour emergency department services. As the 69 local health professionals who put their name to the report to the Minister said, paediatric, maternity and ICU services depend on emergency departments. The moment of truth has arrived. Are we going to have a strategically located regional hospital in Portlaoise, with maternity services, an ICU unit, paediatric services and an emergency department, or are we not? We need a clear plan with a clear strategy to give certainty for the future which none of the past four, five or six Governments has provided.

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