Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. He mentioned record levels of investment but we need to see more investment in Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore. It is disappointing that the Minister for Health did not respond to my request to work constructively with him and have a meeting with him on this very serious issue. Health is important. When elderly patients cannot access care at their local hospital we know there is a problem. When senior medical members of a team are flagging to their TD that there is a problem there is a problem. It is not just me saying there is a problem. The medical staff are saying it and elderly patients who cannot access local care are telling me there is an issue and they have to go to other counties for elective surgery. That is wrong. I hope the Minister for Health will respond constructively and give me the opportunity I have sought to meet him about this issue because it cannot be ignored.

I commend again the excellent staff at every level in Midland Regional Hospital who have worked tirelessly to help patients. They reduced waiting lists again last year for the second year in a row. I commend them on that but that was partly because patients were forced to go to other counties for care. I hope the situation will change and the Government will show more political will and be constructive by listening to other TDs who are only trying to do their best and do the right thing by the electorate.

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