Changes to hospital will put lives at risk

MALLOW General Hospital is being downgraded to local hospital status as the Hanley Report is being implemented by stealth, it was claimed yesterday.

Deputy Joe Sherlock, chairman, Mallow General Hospital Co-ordinating Action Committee, made the claim when he announced the committee would write to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Health and Children Minister Micheál Martin, demanding the retention and development of the hospital.

Mr Sherlock said the provisions of the 1970 Health Act applied until amended, and said the committee would consider all its options if it failed to receive a favourable response within a week.