Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On Monday, 28 June 2010, around-the-clock emergency services ended at Louth County Hospital in Dundalk. The emergency department closed and was replaced by a minor injuries unit. At the time, that meant patients in the north- and mid-Louth area who got chest pains or abdominal pains, or were involved in road accidents, had pregnancy-related conditions and more, would have to pass Louth County Hospital in Dundalk to get treatment in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. From that day on, the minor injuries unit opened from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week for patients who presented with non-emergency conditions, and people with strokes and other rehabilitation needs could use the 35 remaining beds, which were known as step-down beds. In February 2010, the HSE stated that Louth County Hospital was changing but not closing, but the opening of a new emergency department and medical assessment unit at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital paved the way for the closure of the 24-hour accident and emergency department in Louth County Hospital and the transfer of acute medical services to Drogheda.

The same situation is now happening in Our Lady's Hospital in Navan. On Monday, 13 June, it was reported that the emergency department in Our Lady's Hospital in Navan is to be closed and replaced by a medical assessment unit. Emergency patients were informed they should go to other hospitals and that 80% of the people who go to the emergency department in Navan would continue to be treated in that hospital.

It was also stated that the hospital did not meet safe clinical standards for some patients. These are mixed messages.

On Tuesday, 14 June, the Minister stated that no decision regarding the HSE's proposal for the transition of the emergency department at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, had been granted by the Government. He also stated that the HSE had clinical concerns about safety and that the ability of people in the Navan area to access emergency and urgent care would need to be fully addressed before any proposed transition by the HSE took place. On the same day, the Tánaiste stated that the Government had not sanctioned the closure of the emergency department at Navan. It is no wonder that people in Navan and its surrounding areas are confused. These are mixed messages. What is happening is similar to the situation at Louth County Hospital, with tens of thousands of people marching and people talking about all of the lives that have been saved at the hospital and its excellent staff.

At the moment, all roads seem to be heading towards Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. I must pay tribute to its staff for turning the hospital around. In recent years, it used to be at the top of the list of overcrowded hospitals in the country. Now, it is one of the best performing and busiest hospitals in the country. It has 14-hour waiting lists and patients there receive a high standard of care, but I fear that, given the extra catchment area and the current resources and staffing, the position could get worse. I am concerned by the population covered and the level of investment. The Government promises plenty of money but none of it seems to land. The situation in Navan should not be used for political point scoring.

I have always said that your health is your wealth. Please, let us all work together and stop sending different signals. Let us consider the patient and what is best for everyone. The communication lines have been dreadful. Both the HSE and the Government are sending the wrong signals. The HSE says that it has concerns about the safety of the emergency department at Navan. This is a bad signal to send at a time when all health services are under pressure and concerns about additional capacity at other hospitals and the ability of people in the Navan area to access emergency and urgent care have not been addressed.

This situation has been ongoing for years. The Minister has let the people of Meath and surrounding areas down. He promised for years to meet them, but when he met them, he gave them bad news. I personally believe that he did not have the balls to do that on day one. Please, sit down with the relevant people, sort the situation out and look after people's health.

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