Councillors call on hospitals A&E

A supplementary motion on Naas and Portlaoise hospitals A&E services has been put down by several councillors for the next meeting of the Athy Municipal District, writes Brian Byrne.

Cllrs Breslin, Dalton, Keatley, Miley, Redmond and Wall have all signed the motion, which says that 'given the reports in various media outlets over the last number of days, the members of the Athy Municipal District call on all those with responsibility, to maintain all accident and emergency (A&E) services at Naas and Portlaoise hospitals'.

This follows reports in the Sunday Business Post that nine hospitals are to lose their A&E departments. The report says trauma care is to be centralised to bigger and better equipped emergency departments.

However, Health Minister Simon Harris said today there are no plans to close the A&E at either hospital.

The meeting will be held at 10.15am next Monday 18 July 2016, in the Council Chamber, Athy Municipal District Offices.