HSE War Continues With the Minister for Health While Navan A&E Hangs in the Balance

HSE War Continues With the Minister for Health While Navan A&E Hangs in the Balance – Tóibín

Cathaoirleach of the Save Navan Hospital Campaign Peadar Tóibín TD has stated; At a meeting between senior HSE management and Meath County Councillors yesterday, HSE Management stated that Minister Stephen Donnelley “prevented HSE management from consulting with local stakeholders in Meath about the proposed closure of the A&E. They said they were gagged by the Minister. This is the latest salvo in an open battle between the HSE and the Minister. It comes just over a week when the HSE CE Paul Reid undermined the Minister and live on national radio said that the Minister was wrong to pause the closure”.

“The Minister’s authority is being openly undermined at every turn by the HSE. Its unprecedented that HSE would so openly challenge the Minister at public meetings and on the media. All of this has a severe consequence on the future of Navan Hospital A&E. Thousands of people will take to the streets of Navan this Saturday at 1pm. Clubs, community groups & civic society organizations will all be marching behind their banners & in their colours. We the people of Meath are not going to allow our A&E get caught in the cross fire in a battle between the Minister and the HSE management”.

"This is the most important health infrastructure in the county with a population of 220,000 people. We demand investment in acute Surgical Surgery to make our A&E as safe and as strong as any other in the county. We demand that the HSE and the Minister listen to the 23 Consultants from the RCSI group who have indicated the closure of our A&E would be dangerous to life and health. They need to listen to the health experts now before its too late and we have another Limerick University Hospital on our door steps."

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.