Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge that the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, is away and cannot be here. We all supported A Vision for Change. It was our policy and I believe everybody agrees with it and always did. We want to see it implemented as best we can.

If we read the Minister of State's script very carefully, we will note there is no actual commitment to maintaining Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, as a day hospital.

What the statement says is that discussions are ongoing on a proposal to use the existing inpatient unit in Navan as a day hospital for the wider hinterland. That conditional mood is used further in some of the other paragraphs. We are not certain if it will even remain as a day hospital but certainly any removal of the inpatient beds there will be a regressive step for County Meath. I would urge the Government to let people know what is happening. Too much is being leaked and given out mar dhea with phrases like "this might happen" or "that would happen". People want to know the plans for services. We know what A Vision for Change is but what are the practical implications on the ground? If someone needs help, where do they go? It seems that this is up in the air. We certainly welcome the opening of the unit in Drogheda but we do not know what is happening in Navan. The Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, has not been able to give any real commitment on that. I look forward to getting further details from her when she returns.