25th July 2011
Local TD, Denis Naughten is calling on the Government to provide a clear timetable for their proposed investment at Roscommon County Hospital.

Responding to questions from Deputy Naughten at the Dáil Health Committee last week, Minister James Reilly said “The future of Roscommon is a priority for me and this Government and I want it to be an exemplar of what can be achieved”.

Responding to the Health Ministers comments, Denis Naughten said “if the future of the hospital itself is to be protected then the people of Roscommon need to see HIQA approved services begin to move from Galway to Roscommon at the same speed the HSE moved to close our A & E”.

“Within the last month, as part of my negotiations with the HSE & Department of Health, Minister Reilly gave me a number of commitments on his plans for investment of in excess of €2m at Roscommon Hospital”.

“If the Government is serious about investing in the hospital, then we need to see the detailed plans for additional diagnostics and screening, including colorectal cancer screening, including the necessary capital investment”.

“Such a proposal must be published immediately with a detailed timetable of when each phase will be implemented, if the plan is to have any credibility”

“It is important to point out that while the proposed capital investment, would be warmly welcomed and will be of direct benefit to the staff & the local economy , is not a replacement for the removal of a 24/7 emergency service” concluded Denis Naughten