Serious concern over portiuncula emergency department

A LEAKED report has raised serious concerns regarding the future of the Emergency Department at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe.

Galway East Deputy Colm Keaveney has described as 'alarming' details of a leaked Department of Health report which he says signals the closure of the 24-hour Emergency Department at the hospital.

“The scale of cuts are truly shocking. The measures required to meet these budget targets are extreme and will have a devastating impact on the quality and safety of care for patients. Under the plan, Portiuncula Hospital will lose its 24 hour A&E service, resulting in detrimental implications for patients. 

'The closure would force patients to travel long distances in emergency situations to Galway University Hospital, which is already near breaking point and does not have the capacity to cope with the extra volumes. GUH will be put under huge pressure if it has to take on the overflow from Ballinasloe.

“The move will also put pressure on the ambulance service in the region, which has already been propelled into the spotlight because of poor response times and failing infrastructure.  Staff and patients are already extremely concerned about the health service in Galway, and the contents of this report will do little to ease their fears,' says the Tuam-based FF TD.

More in next week's edition.