Published: Wednesday, 11th August, 2010 6:00pm

Fears that closure of Portiuncula may be on cards

The community of Ballinasloe and further afield is showing its support for Portiuncula Hospital this week as fears grow that the hospital may be set to close.

A HSE commissioned report published last week recommended the closure of one hospital in the HSE West area in a bid to save money, although it was not specified which hospital should be closed.

It was initially reported that Roscommon County Council would be the one to be selected but the HSE has since released a statement saying there are no plans to close Roscommon County Council.

This has resulted in increased fears about the future of Portiuncula Hospital and the Portiuncula Hospital Action Committee has sought assurances that the hospital will remain open.

IMPACT representative Padraig Mulligan, who is also the chairman of the Portiuncula Hospital Action Committee, told the Westmeath Independent yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon: "People are very worried about the statement in the HSE report that they are to close one hospital in the west. The HSE has said at this stage that it is not Roscommon so people are worried it will be Ballinasloe. We are seeking clarification from the HSE that it is not Portiuncula and we haven't got that clarification yet."

Mr Mulligan added that the committee held a meeting in Ballinasloe yesterday afternoon with the largest attendance to date.

He said town councillors, county councillors, Chamber of Commerce members, representatives of almost every business in the town and communtiy groups attended the meeting to find out how they could help to keep the hospital open. A 'hands off our hospital' protest will be held next Tuesday afternoon at the hospital and Mr Mulligan said this will be the first of many protests in the coming months.

During the protest, which will take place at 1.30pm on Tuesday next, August 17, people will form a human chain around the hospital.

"We are not taking this lying down," said Mr Mulligan. "Portiuncula Hospital is something that this community will fight for with all and any means at our disposal."

The report, which is available on the HSE's website, doesn't specify which hospital in the HSE West area should be closed, but it is understood an earlier draft of the report recommended the closure of Roscommon County Hospital. However, after the HSE refuted that Roscommon County Hospital was to be closed fears over Portiuncula's future increased.

The report recommends the rationalisation of acute hospital services and other service reconfigurations.