Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for accommodating all speakers today. It can sometimes be difficult to look after everyone.

On 1 April 2018, the HSE introduced new regulations bypassing Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, for all trauma patients. While I understand that there is a new national trauma plan, which is the work of the HSE and the Department of Health, to get the best support for patients, it is creating huge difficulties. It was brought in very quietly and unknown to many people.

It is not possible for people from Roscommon and parts of east Galway to get to UCHG or now to Tullamore within the golden hour which is so important for patients. It takes more than an hour to get to UCHG from most parts of County Roscommon.

We lost a good emergency department in Roscommon when it was closed down by the last Government. We were told at the time that Portiuncula would be our top hospital for all these services but now it is gone. Will the Tánaiste go to the Minister for Health and ask him to examine this in view of the difficulty it will take, particularly for ambulance times?

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