Concerns that new trauma centres could lead to inferior care for rural patients

There are concerns that injured patients in rural areas could end up with inferior care if new trauma centres go ahead.

The Government is looking to centralise services by establishing one centre in Cork and one in Dublin.

Health professionals have been defending the plans.

Conor Deasy from the National Ambulance Service says the current system is not the type of coordinated response needed.

He said: "You will await a bed and a transfer team to bring you to Beaumont for your head injury and from there to the Mater for your spinal injury and on from there to Tallaght.

"It is not the coordinated response you would like to have.

"What an inclusive trauma system describes is enhanced care from the time of injury."

- Digital Desk