Kenny: No turning back on Roscommon A&E closure

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said there will be no u-turn of the decision to close A&E services at Roscommon Hospital.

The move comes into effect from Monday despite widespread protest.

The Government said it has acted on foot of advice from the Health Information and Quality Authority that patient safety would be compromised if the A&E unit at Roscommon remained open.

A new critical care unit will operate at the hospital from Monday with all serious emergencies transferred to Galway.

The Taoiseach said the HSE must now prove that the new system will work.

Mr Kenny said: "I think the convincing has to lie in the proof.

"I would say to the HSE that the change that has been set out here has got to be seen to be implemented in the interests of the patients' care, so that what is being set out here, actually is seen to happen."