Troy flags overcrowding problem in Mullingar hospital

Longford-Westmeath Fianna Fail TD Robert Troy has received confirmation from the HSE that a mixture of funding cutbacks and the additional burdens imposed on Mullingar Regional Hospital have led to overcrowding.

Deputy Troy stated that the HSE have informed him that the extent of the problem is such that “the Special Delivery Unit has been forced to engage with management.”

The Ballynacargy TD says plans have been drawn up but the HSE’s ability to counter this is, in their estimation, “minimised” by the fact that the hospital service covers for Longford, Westmeath, Roscommon and Meath.

Deputy Troy laid much of the blame for his this problem on what he termed the “disastrous” decision to close down the Roscommon A & E Unit last year. He urged Minister Reilly to re-evaluate government policy in light of these problems.

“Cuts to budgets, increased numbers of patients and extra responsibilities in light of the disastrous decision to close down the A & E in Roscommon are having a severe impact on the hospital and the Minister cannot ignore this.” he said.