Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government also has a commitment to building capacity for emergency and acute services by reducing the number of people going into hospital. The decision to close the facility was announced at 4.10 p.m. on Tuesday by the HSE. It will put 124 elderly patients out onto the street. The service has existed for 34 years in Navan. Last month the Taoiseach said from now on the HSE would show compassion and common sense. How can he stand over a situation where 124 people will be thrown out on the street tomorrow afternoon? Where is the compassion or common sense in that? I urge the HSE to postpone the decision. The HSE has said it will secure an additional building. It has had five months to secure it and nothing has been done.

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