The Accident and Emergency department at Roscommon County Hospital has been replaced today with an urgent care unit.
All patients requiring A&E services are being told to go directly to University Hospital Galway, Ballinasloe or Castlebar.
It’s a move that’s been condemned by local campaigners, and protests against the move are due to be held at a number of hospitals across the country.
The HSE West says it’s planning a leaflet drop targeting Roscommon homes, and advertising in local press and radio, to inform people of what the new unit will offer.
However local campaigners say they won’t give up on their demands for a reversal of the decision.
Details emerged yesterday of a recording of the Taoiseach promising to retain services at the hospital, in the run up to the election.
Enda Kenny says the promise was made in good faith, and was made before a report was released advising the A and E department wasn’t safe.
Two Fine Gael councillors on Roscommon county council have also announced they are resigning from the party in protest.
Dominick Connolly and Laurence Fallon say they are resigning from the party because it failed to honour a pre-election commitment.
