The fact that Minister for Health James Reilly, in opposition, stood on a platform in Navan to denounce proposed reductions in services in Navan Hospital, but now plans to do the opposite , was the unacceptable face of Party Politics.

This was stated by independent MEP Marian Harkin who attended last Saturday’s march in Navan held to protest against any plan to close the Hospital’s A & E.

She said; “This is the fourth different hospital protest I have attended to attempt to head off changes to local health services.  Changes are designed to serve the purpose of number crunchers, but not the needs of the people the HSE is supposed to serve.  Successive Governments have shown their willingness to disregard the will of the people in Roscommon, Monaghan, Sligo and Ennis, where I attended marches and worked hard to have services maintained, but the HSE, with political support, just went ahead.
In the case of Navan, at least, the people of Meath have the opportunity through next Friday’s European and Local Elections to deliver a warning that if the fully justified A & E Service in Navan is not maintained that there will be consequences at the next General Election.

The lack of accessibility to alternative A & E Services, and the vital question of the ‘Golden Hour’, reinforces the fears that people rightly have about any reduction in services at Navan hospital.  I urge the electorate of County Meath and others depending on access to services at Navan Hospital to send a clear warning that Minister Reilly’s previous pledge to support services at the hospital must be honoured.  The best way of doing this is by taking the opportunity on Friday next to indicate what will happen at the next General Election if A & E Services are not retained at Navan Hospital” Independent MEP concluded.