rejected the withdrawal
of current levels of service from Sligo and Mayo and
noted that the the West and North West was so large
geographically that current proposals to withdraw
services were "patently not in the patients'
interests".
"The HSE now faces a €300m deficit in 2008 together
and there is an admission by Minister Dermot Ahern
that there is not a 'red cent' in Government coffers
for any hospital development," said a spokesperson.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kenny has invited Dr. James Reilly,
Fine Gael's health spokesperson to visit Letterkenny
General Hospital and Mayo General Hospital in
advance of any party motion to discuss the situation
with clinicians and medical personnel.
Mr. Kenny said: "None of my members support the
current proposal. We believe a political
intervention is necessary to force a change of
policy in the interest of the patient where medical
standard and clinical outcomes stand up to scrutiny.
Fine Gael will provide an opportunity for the Dáil
to debate and decide on this matter shortly." |