HSE called for end to complex surgery at Portlaoise years ago

The HSE is only acting now to ensure that complex surgery no longer takes place at the Midland Regional Hospital, despite saying years ago that surgical services at the hospital should cease, it has emerged.

Chief executive of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group, Dr Susan O’Reilly, confirmed that complex surgeries would be moved away from the hospital “quite soon”.

It is understood they will be transferred from Portlaoise to either St James’s Hospital in Dublin or the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, Co Offaly.