Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On the face of it, I welcome what the Minister of State said. He clearly stated there is no intention to close any services but that services will work together. I would like him to state there is no intention, over the coming years, to downgrade any services.

It needs to be understood that Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, is a valuable hospital for maternity services for north Galway and Roscommon. Everyone agrees on the importance of hospitals working together to ensure the best outcomes are achieved for expecting mothers and best practice is always adhered to.

In light of the way it was worded in the minutes of the meeting, there was much uncertainty and uneasiness in the area in case there was something going on behind the scenes without the people in the area knowing it.

I welcome the Minister of State's comments that Galway and Portiuncula hospitals will work together and Portiuncula hospital's maternity services will continue to be available in Ballinasloe and nothing will be downgraded. Will the Minister of State confirm that no service will be downgraded?

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