The HSE is planning to close Loughlinstown Hospital’s 24hr Accident and Emergency Department in November of this year, and replace it with day-time minor injury service. This is part of the plan to cut A&E services at nine hospitals around the country. These cuts have already provoked major protests in Roscommon and Portlaoise.
If the plan goes ahead, 21,000 patients treated annually at the A&E in Loughlinstown, will now have to travel to St Vincent’s Hospital to receive emergency treatment. Despite what the government say, this is not about putting patients first; it is part of a commitment to cut public spending in Health as agreed with the EU/IMF.
Richard Boyd Barrett TD and Cllr Hugh Lewis recently organised a number of well-attended public meetings and have helped establish a campaign to resist the closure. A protest march was supported by residents from Dun Laoghaire, Bray and Wicklow. Further protests are planned in the Autumn.
Residents in the Merrion/Sandymount/Ringsend area are furious over the proposal to divert patients to St. Vincent’s, which is already struggling to cope and a protest is planned at St. Vincent’s hospital. It is a disgrace that local TD, Eamonn Gilmore, has reneged on his commitment to retain services at Loughlinstown. There is no reason why this closure should happen. If patient’s safety is foremost then local hospitals should be provided with adequate resources.
The recruitment embargo has seen a reduction of 6000 workers in the health service. We were promised this embargo would not affect services. The threat to A&E’s across the country shows this to be a lie.
Get involved in the campaign to save Loughlinstown A&E – text Hugh at 086 7814523