Fianna Fail TD Eugene Murphy has re-issued an invitation to the Minister for Health Simon Harris to meet with members of the Roscommon Hospital Action Committee in relation to the development of a Rehabilitation Unit at Roscommon University Hospital.
Deputy Murphy said he was “extremely disappointed” that Minister Harris had turned down the request to meet with the HAC. “Members of the HAC received an email from Minister Harris’ office on Friday indicating that he would not be in a position to meet with them and I have re-issued the invitation to the Minister’s office. Minister Harris will be in Roscommon to open the new endoscopy unit on Thursday, September 8th which would be an ideal time to meet the HAC.
“Over €7 million was approved for the rehabilitation unit at Roscommon Hospital in May of 2015 and the funds were to be included in the 2016/2021 capital programme however that funding now seems to be postponed and urgent clarification is needed in relation to the matter. This ten bedded unit would service the midlands and west of Ireland and the development of the unit was one of the main projects proposed for the campus following on from the closure of the A&E services.”
“I have spoken to Minister Harris in relation to the rehabilitation unit in the past and he has informed me that the Unit is not off the agenda so I don’t understand why there is such a reluctance to meet the HAC. The Minister’s refusal to meet the HAC only casts further doubt on the future of the Rehab Unit and urgent clarification is needed in relation to the matter” said Deputy Murphy.