Coalition formed to oppose Hanly Report

A number of regional hospital action groups have formed a coalition to oppose the Government’s plan to centralise acute hospital services.

The National Hospital Defence Campaign comprises eight groups campaigning for the retention of services in local and regional hospitals.

The groups in question are campaigning on behalf of hospitals in Ennis, Nenagh, Monaghan, Roscommon, Athlone, Ballinasloe, Mallow and Mullingar.

The new National Hospital Defence Campaign believes the centralisation of acute services as recommended in the Hanly Report would see seriously ill people being forced to travel long distances for treatment.