Harney in hospital talks

MINISTER FOR Health Mary Harney held talks with employee and union representatives of Portiuncula hospital, Ballinasloe, and Roscommon hospital yesterday over growing concerns about a HSE restructuring programme.

Impact representative Padraig Mulligan said Ms Harney had apologised for lack of consultation on the plans, but he was not reassured by “what she had to say”.

Ms Harney said the hospitals’ futures depended on working “as one” with one management structure. The Minister was in Ballinasloe to open a refurbished emergency department and special baby care unit at Portiuncula.