The SIPTU Meath District Council has written to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, seeking an urgent meeting with him to discuss the threat to downgrade accident and emergency facilities at Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan, county Meath. SIPTU Meath District Council secretary, John Regan, said: “We wrote to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, on Monday, 15th November, seeking a meeting with him at his earliest connivence.” He added: “In our letter, we draw his attention to the large rally in Navan on 3rd November, which the SIPTU Meath District Council was involved in organising, that showed the strength of feeling among the public against any downgrading of the accident and emergency facilities at Our Lady’s Hospital.” SIPTU Meath District Council chairman, Anton McCabe, said: “It is widely reported that accident and emergency departments across the country are experiencing issues of overcrowding, under staffing and patients being left on trollies. This situation is being made more acute by the ongoing pandemic and it is not acceptable for the Minister and HSE to continue with plans that will make this bad situation even worse.” He added: “When the increase in population in county Meath, and the rapidly expanding number of people employed in the Northeast region, is considered the plan to downgrade services at Our Lady’s Hospital makes no sense. The HSE plan is flawed and outdated and must be revisited to take account of the health service needs of county Meath and the wider region.”
SIPTU Meath District Council seeks meeting with Minister on Our Lady’s Hospital A&E threat
