Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise concerns similar to Senator Daly's regarding the as yet unpublished report by the trauma steering group and the suggestion that up to nine emergency departments may close their doors to patients, including in Cavan, Naas, Wexford, Portiuncula and Cork. Recent reports have highlighted the future of emergency medicine, with recommendations that increased centralisation of specialist emergency departments in larger hospitals does not work. The potential closure of nine emergency departments around the country is extremely worrying for service users.

When will this report from the trauma steering group be presented to the Minister and can the Leader request that the Minister update the Members on any restructuring that is proposed or coming down the tracks? It is not just the advertising for consultants; it is also nurses and ancillary staff. There is already an atmosphere of uncertainty and this will only add more fuel to the chaos that exists in our emergency departments countrywide. Both Houses need to be briefed so that constructive debate ensue.