Search Results for 'Padraig Mulligan'

Two of Galway’s public hospitals will come under increasing pressure if a proposal to close Roscommon County Hospital’s A&E department in a fortnight’s time goes ahead, a local trade union official warned this week.

“Unfortunately the message is don’t get sick this winter” was the chilling warning from a local union official this week, following the announcement that cuts of almost €50 million are to be imposed across the HSE West region, which takes in both Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, and Roscommon County Hospital.

As staff and patients at Ballinasloe’s Portiuncula Hospital await a decision on the future of oncology services at the hospital, unions are gearing up to launch a public protest and petition in support of the retention of services.

A new organisation formed to fight the health cuts is urging people to sign a petition to register their concern.

Despite political and public opinion believing that the €7 million share of cuts to be foisted on Portiuncula hospital by the end of the year would “effectively close” the hospital, “the HSE can categorically state that there are no plans to close Portiuncula Hospital”.

A union boss has issued a stern warning to local politicians - “Use your seat to protect services at Portiuncula Hospital or lose it”.

A local action committee is urging businesses, clubs, organisations and individuals to take part in a “Hands Around Our Hospital” protest aimed at highlighting concerns over future services at Portiuncula Hospital.

IMPACT trade union has written to the HSE’s interim regional director of operations (RDO), John Hennessy, seeking commitments on a wide range of posts to be filled in Portiuncula and Roscommon hospitals.

Up to 1,000 people are expected to march through the streets of Ballinasloe on Sunday amid fears that Portiuncula Hospital may be downgraded as part of a restructuring of hospitals in the region.

The decision to expand the position of new general manager of Galway University Hospitals to include reponsibility for Portiuncula and Roscommon hospitals may signal the beginning of a restructuring of hospitals in the area, the trade union IMPACT has claimed.