Laois hospitals 'secure for future generations'

'The future of Portlaoise, Mountmellick and Abbeyleix hospitals are now secure for future generations'.

That's the headline on a new statement from Laois Offaly TD and Minister of State Seán Fleming who is 'also' pleased that the Government continues to make significant investment in healthcare in Laois.

“€14 million has been funded to build a new respiratory assessment unit, extend the paediatric unit, re-design the maternity ward and install specialised units.

“There are now 893 staff working in Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, which is an increase of 143 additional staff, in recent years.

“This includes 74 extra nursing staff, bringing the total nursing staff up to 365. There are now 112 doctors in the hospital, which is an increase of 16 doctors.

“Construction is well underway on a major new €7 million extension to Mountmellick hospital.

“A new 11-bed Transitional Care Unit was recently opened at Abbeyleix hospital, which will help people transitioning from hospital care and intensive post-acute care, before they return home.

“This has been made possible as a result of major investment by the Government in healthcare services and facilities in Laois,” said the Fianna Fáil Minister of State.

The TD made the comments soon after the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly congratulated staff at Portlaoise hospital on the 'enormous efforts' made in tackling waiting lists.

The HSE previously made concerted efforts to downgrade Portlaoise hospital by 2022 and shut Abbeyleix hospital in 2011.