Written 2 weeks ago by Angel Croitor

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Last night, Wednesday 25th of October, hundreds of people turned up to a public meeting to oppose a leaked strategy from management to get rid of Portlaoise Hospital Emergency Department.

“Without Portlaoise Hospital – I wouldnt be standing here. Through the help of Portlaoise Hospital I had a quintuple bypass.”

Midlands 103’s reporter Brian Moss attended the meeting to hear the voice of the public. Medical Health Professionals, such as GP Jerry White, raised concerns at the potential loss of life that closing the A&E department could lead to.

They mention the golden hour, which is the time period in emergency medicine that has the highest likelihood of preventing death with appropriate medical treatment, and how removing it will only make matters worse – stating that their concerns are “grave”. They doubt that the N7 and the distance to any nearby emergency department will suffice for the golden hour rule.

“This is about politics – this is about distribution of national resources – I think the people who are here are perfectly entitled to say ‘we dont like this, we weren’t consulted’ and I think this process has revealed great weakness in the way the HSE certainly works.” – Consultant Cardiologist, Sean Fleming

Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley says they’re not expecting it as a done deal – he believes that the turn out from last night’s meeting proves that the tax payers of Laois, Offaly, and South Kildare are entitled to have it there and to have a good service.

They will be mobilising public opinion on it and mobilising people to make sure that the pressure is kept up to “boiling point”.

“If you sit back now – what you will be doing will be crying over spilt milk – we have to close the door before the gets out – now is the time for action.” – Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley

The locals highlighted their many reasons for upset at the leaked strategy and it was palpable that the public didn’t feel supported by the government.

“We’re bottom with the idea for jobs, we’re bottom with tourism, for getting money off of the tourist crowd, we’re bottom for the hospital – they’re constantly picking on Portlaoise, what’s the problem?”

One particular member of the public put forward the only action plan the public can take into their own hands. The use of social media to drive home their points and the failure or fall backs from their government nationally and locally.

“It seems to me that the only thing our Taoiseach and our government are shamed by is what is said about them on social media which spreads like wild fire – we need to think carefully about how we’re going to get that message out – actual movements from actual people that happen with their feet to happen on social media as well.”

What do you have to say about the leaked strategy? Tell us at midlandstoday@midlandsradio.com

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