Waterford councillors call for health service forum

PUBLIC representatives in Waterford have urged Health Minister Mary Harney to give them a say in local health matters, amid concern that proceeds from the sale of a multi-million euro landbank on hospital grounds will not be reinvested locally.

City councillors want Ms Harney to immediately establish a regional forum to facilitate public representatives to articulate their views on regional health services.

The council is concerned that without local representation, money raised from the sale of 35 acres of land at St Otteran’s psychiatric hospital may not be invested in improving facilities for elderly and mentally ill people in Waterford.