Navan A&E safe for now: minister

A clear signal that the A&E department at Our Lady's Hospital will remain open in the medium-term was given by Health Minister Dr James Reilly yesterday (Tuesday). Discussing the future of the emergency departments (EDs) in smaller hospitals around the country, the minister said on Newstalk Radio that the emergency department in Navan was safe in the medium-term. He said this was because of the lack of capacity in surrounding hospitals. The news was welcomed by Save Navan Hospital campaigner, Deputy Peadar Tóibín of Sinn Fein. He said he would be meeting with the HSE shortly to further discuss the future of the Navan hospital. Fears have been expressed recently that the 'Mallow Report' would result in the official downgrading of nine smaller hospitals, including Navan, with the removal of 24-hour emergency departments. Under the HSE's Transformation Programme for the Louth-Meath Hospital Group, which includes the hospital in Navan, and those in Drogheda, Dundalk, Monaghan and Cavan, the Navan ED was due to be scaled back to a 12-hour facility late last year or early this year. Hospital campaigners have pointed to Navan's growing population and the fact that the town is home to a mining operation as reasons why it is essential that accident and emergency services are retained in the town. Last year's HIQA report into the types of services that can be provided safely at smaller hospitals recommended the closure of emergency departments at smaller facilities, such as Navan.