Local TD Denis Naughten has received confirmation that from next Monday morning ambulances will be allowed to transport non-urgent patients to Roscommon University Hospital’s urgent care centre to help ease overcrowding in Emergency Departments across the region.

“A protocol has now been agreed between the National Ambulance Service and the HSE to transfer patients to Roscommon University Hospital from next Monday to help ease pressure on emergency departments across our region and this is a welcome development,” stated Denis Naughten.

The Medical Assessment Unit at Roscommon Hospital can treat a range of medical conditions including respiratory (breathing) conditions, fever, seizures and headaches, and suspected illnesses such as pneumonia or chest infections on a GP referral and this will now be extended to paramedics.

Last week Deputy Naughten contacted both the HSE and the Taoiseach seeking that the urgent care centre and medical assessment unit at Roscommon Hospital be used to provide rapid assessment, diagnosis and timely treatment based on patients’ needs, and this request has now been approved by the HSE.

“While this won’t resolve the crisis in our local emergency departments, it will mean that patients will get access to more timely care which will allow them to be discharged from hospital far quicker,” said Denis Naughten.

“This new protocol will be of particular benefit to older people who could end up spending up to 24 hours on a trolley in an emergency department. These patients can now be transferred directly to Roscommon Hospital by ambulance for medical care following consultation between the paramedic and the hospital consultant,” concluded Denis Naughten.