A report which could determine the future of Saint Luke’s Emergency Department is due now within weeks.
Fianna Fáil Deputy Bobby Aylward says he has questioned the Health Minister over the delay in publishing a document from the National Steering group on a Trauma system for Ireland.
There has been some concern locally that the group may recommend the downgrading of services at St Luke’s.
Deputy Aylward says the availability of trauma care needs to be retained at the local hospital, but he is worried about what part of the response he got from Minister Harris might mean:
“… It will require hospitals to work together to provide an optimal amalgamation of trauma services – that to me could mean amalgamations or downgrading of acute hospitals like St Luke’s.”
