Hospital group threatens legal action to stop Hanly report downgrade

A GROUP representing thousands of people has threatened legal action to stop any downgrading of its local general hospital.

Due to fears that the Hanly Report on restructuring of health services may lead to a loss of services, Mallow Hospital Co-ordinating Committee held a special meeting yesterday at which members pointed out their concerns.

A previous attempt to remove its status as a general hospital was fought successfully in the High Court in 1989.

John McDonnell, secretary of the committee, said Mallow was very similar in size to hospitals at Ennis and Nenagh which are facing downgrading to local hospital status.

“If anything happens to Mallow hospital its ‘hub town’ status goes out the window,” Mr McDonnell said.

He said the projected population growth in the region was very large and as such there was more need than ever for a general hospital.

Labour Deputy Joe Sherlock said if the downgrading went ahead and Mallow lost its A&E department, the injured would have to go to Cork.

“That could put people’s lives at risk,” he said.

“We do not accept that Mallow would be reduced to an eight-hour day hospital.” He said it was likely more public meetings would be held on the issue and if necessary legal action would be considered.

Last year, Mallow General hospital dealt with nearly 23,000 patients, of which 10,705 went through its A&E department.

Meanwhile, the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh, is to join an anticipated crowd of 20,000 people in Ennis later today protesting at the proposed closure of 24-hour A&E services at Ennis General Hospital. “Obviously the whole future is worrying,” Bishop Walsh said.

His fear was echoed by consultants at Ennis General who intervened in the debate concerning the Hanly report by releasing a statement that they had “major concerns” over proposals for the downgrading of Ennis General’s A & E service.

The march is the first major test of public opposition to proposals in the report and march organiser, Fine Gael Cllr Joe Arkins, forecast that crowds of up to 20,000 people will attend.

Organisations from across the county are expected to be represented in the march, which will be led by the Tulla Pipe Band and Clare hurling hero Anthony Daly. Three busloads of members of the Nenagh Hospital Action Group are also expected to attend.