Any plans by the HSE for the withdrawal of services from smaller hospitals have now been halted by Fine Gael, Denis Naughten confirmed this week.

The decision has been made by Minister for Health, Dr. James Reilly, who previously wrote to the HSE prior to the election requesting that it would “refrain from implementing any changes in respect of services at Roscommon County Hospital prior to the election of a new Government and the appointment of a new Minister for Health”.

Denis Naughten stated: “Fine Gael has already committed to retaining services at the hospital and as a party we have outlined our plans to not only protect but also to enhance and develop those services. This decision by Minister Reilly is the first step in securing the future of services at smaller hospitals such as Roscommon and Portiuncula.

“Fine Gael gave a firm commitment on the future of Roscommon County Hospital and the halting of the withdrawal of any services from hospitals like Roscommon is a welcome decision.”