HSE is Still Proceeding With Plans to Close Navan A&E Despite Minister’s Call for a Pause.

HSE is Still Proceeding With Plans to Close Navan A&E Despite Minister’s Call for a Pause. – Tóibín

The Cathaoirleach of the Save Navan Hospital Campaign Peadar Tóibín has learned that HSE management are meeting with staff representatives in Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan , today, to brief them on the on going plans to close Navan A&E.

He stated; “This is incredible. The democratically elected Minister for Health has told the HSE to pause the closure of the A&E in Navan due in large part to medic concerns about the lack of capacity in Drogheda and yet in complete disregard for the democratic process in this country the HSE management are meeting with staff reps today to continue the process of closure. Individual managers need to think about what they are doing. It is deeply undemocratic what’s happening. Are they a law unto themselves? Are they immune to the democratic authority of this republic? I am calling on the Minister for Health to investigate the actions of individual mangers if they continue to operate contrary to the decision of the Minister”.

“This meeting is happening just 3 days after thousands of people marched through Navan to protect the A&E. Its happening just 2 weeks after 23 Consultants in Drogheda penned a letter to the Minister to say that closure would be dangerous to life and health. It comes shortly after hospital data shows that 8 times the number of patients will travel to Drogheda A&E than the HSE plans first indicated. The Minister has stated that there needs to be a review of capacity in Drogheda before any decision is made. No review is complete”.

The Minister has also been asked to review what services are necessary in Navan hospital to ensure that the A&E can remain open and operate safely. I have been told that this is not happening at all. If the decision on the future of Navan A&E is to be based on science and best patient outcome, it is paramount that this review happens. There is an incredible absence of Ministerial authority. There is an inversion of the democratic process. The government needs to listen to the thousands of people in Meath took to the streets on Saturday and protect our health service”.

CRÍOCH

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.