Simon Harris denies plan to axe emergency departments at nine hospitals

Minister for Health Simon Harris has denied that emergency departments in rural areas may be shut down in the near future after a leaked document revealed plans to axe trauma care from nine hospitals.

The Fine Gael Cabinet member insisted “there are no plans to close emergency departments”, despite confirming an overhaul of the hospital system will see people sent “to the right hospital” for urgent emergency treatment.

Details revealed in the Sunday Business Post at the weekend show a draft copy of the Government’s draft report of its trauma steering group proposed cuts to services at nine facilities nationwide.