Portlaoise hospital downgrade 'shelved' by health Minister claims action group

Campaigners in Laois have claimed victory in their efforts to bin a plan to downgrade Portlaoise hospital saying it has been shelved following a meeting with the Minister  for Health Stephen Donnelly.

The Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee (PHAC) issued a statement after a visit to the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise last week and following HSE approval for a €14 million investment in the project.

"Five years to the day from the 'Light for Lives' rally that took thousands of people onto the streets of Portlaoise to protest against leaked HSE plans to downgrade the Hospital, members of the Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee (PHAC) were on hand to hear Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD confirm that those plans had been shelved. 

"Furthermore the Minister was there to announce a €14 million development of a new Respiratory Assessment Unit, an extension to the existing Paediatric Unit as well as additional healthcare accommodation over two floors, office space and a re-designed foyer/reception area.

"PHAC are satisfied that five years of campaigning have paid off in securing this vital service for Portlaoise, Laois and the hospital’s wider hinterland," they said.

Campaigners paid tribute and thanked to all who have supported them.

"The Committee would like to acknowledge the whole-hearted support from the Public from the off, allied to the exemplary work and commitment of the Staff of the Hospital – especially during the pandemic – Dr. John Connaughton and his Team on the Medical side and Michael Knowles (recently retired) on the Management side, that enabled the case for the retention of services at the hospital to be made.

"The guidance, advice and support from the local GP community lead by Doctors Sean Fleming, Michelle Byrne, Gerry White, Sean Montague as well as Consultant Paediatrician Dr Paul Gallagher and Professor John Patrick Browne from the School of Public Health at UCC enabled the Committee to produce its own Stakeholders Report on the Hospital which was authored by Richard Moore of MComm Communications.  This report was central to the Committee’s ability to put forward a strong case for the promotion of the Hospital and the retention of its critical services," they said.

They also thanked the local media and 'the honest endeavours' of our local representatives from all sides of the political divide their commitment to the cause was genuine and their support unwavering. 

They thanked to Deputy Brian Stanley for ‘unearthing’ the infamous Susan O’Reilly Report and to Minister for State Sean Fleming for securing the support of Minister Donnelly and finally delivering for the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise the future.  

New Gynaecology Clinic in Laois hospital praised by Minister for Health

Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee; Tommy Timmons, Chairman, John Hanniffy, Secretary, Sam Warren, Acting PRO.  Committee Members; Harry Allen, Dick Sides, Ted Squire, Eimear Holland, Dom Dunne, Melanie Drumm, Stephen McGinn, Shane Dunne, Austin Stack, Elaine Dunne & Michael Scully.