Minister for Health James Reilly has denied claims the Government is delaying the publication of an official review of smaller hospital services across the State until after the fiscal treaty referendum because of the potential political fallout
The Framework for the Development of Smaller Hospitals report is expected to recommend a major reassignment of regional services including the closure of certain smaller emergency units.
The report, carried out by a joint team from the Health Service Executive and Department of Health, was due to be published earlier this year in advance of a consultation period.
Dr Reilly said yesterday the document was “still being worked on and refined” and would go out for consultation “shortly”.
“This is a case of rebalancing hospitals and ensuring they have safe services . . . removing the services that can’t safely be provided and adding the services that can.”
Dr Reilly pointed to the Louth County Hospital in Dundalk where he said activity had been quite low prior to the replacement of its emergency department with a minor injuries unit.
“The footfall in the hospital has increased considerably” since the reassignment of services at the hospital, he said.
