Navan Hospital Campaign to Deliver Intense Battle Against Moves to Close Navan A&E

The Save Navan Hospital Campaign met last night in Navan to plan a ramping up of its campaign to save the A&E in Navan.

According to the Cathaoirleach of the campaign and Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD “Our A&E is under immediate threat of closure. The Minister for Health and the HSE are meeting with TDs on June 13th to discuss ‘reconfiguration’, ambulances are being redirected to other hospitals, the ICU was cleared of patients last week, new rosters are being devised and rumours are circulating that it could be closed as early as June 20th. "

Deputy Tóibín said "I cannot overstate how outrageously dangerous this is. Senior medics in the RCSI group have told me that they are shocked at the government plans. We have record waiting times in A&E throughout the country. The Minister for Health has admitted that this is "unacceptable". People are waiting 24 hours in some hospitals and 12 hours in our own areas to be seen in A&E. Pulling capacity out of the hospital now is madness."

Deputy Tóibín continued "Hundreds of houses are being built in Navan and other towns in Meath. The population is growing exponentially. You cannot get a GP for love nor money in many towns. People are traveling to Dublin and Kildare to see a GP. There has never been such chaos in our health system."

Deputy Tóibín continued "We are calling on the 200,000 people of Meath to mobilise now. We are asking citizens in large numbers to phone, visit, write and call and attend clinics of elected reps and vent your anger and opposition to the government plans. We will create an online and physical petition to record people’s frustration at what is happening. We will create a poster campaign across the county to let people know what’s happening. We will be contacting businesses, unions, schools, churches, community organisations and civic groups to mobilise. We will tell real life experiences of patients who have been saved by our A&E right across the media."

Deputy Tóibín said "We will use every political platform we have to fight this. FF and FG Ministers must now deliver for the county. Charlie Flanagan protected Portlaoise Hospital when he was at Cabinet, Helen McEntee must do the same. Denis Naughten broke the party whip in support of Roscommon hospital. Damien English and Thomas Byrne must be willing to do the same."

Deputy Tóibín concluded "We will also take to the streets. But this time, if necessary, we may close roads in Dublin and in the Minister for Health’s constituency to protect our A&E. This is the most the most important health infrastructure we have in the county, we will not allow the Government to destroy it."

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.