Despite all the fine words that we have heard from Minister Varadkar and the HSE in the past couple of months the fact remains that there is a huge vacuum in health services locally and now that we are approaching a general election, it is time to solve once and for all, the many outstanding issues issues in the health service particularly in this region.
The closure of the A and E unit at Roscommon county hospital and the downgrading of mental health services in Ballinasloe is something that has not been properly addressed, and despite promising a new ambulance base at Loughglynn over a year ago nothing has happened there and it is just not good enough. Staff in the A and E units at Portiuncla and UCHG are operating under severe pressure and they need more resources. In addition, unless we improve and enhance our ambulance services there will continue to be problems. I am calling on Minister Varadkar to make the resources available to open the ambulance base at Loyghglynn. Also, a major initiative is needed to shorten the very long waiting lists for elective surgery. The whole area of mental health services needs to be addressed immediately We have all heard the concerns about mental health services in this area for the past number of years. I will be following these matters up as a matter of the utmost urgency during the election campaign and beyond.