The group behind the campaign to save the A&E services at Portlaoise Hospital are holding a key meeting this evening.
They are due to hear from a public health expert at a talk.
They are hosting an event at 6.30pm at O’Loughlin’s Hotel with UCC Professor John Browne who is the Director of the National Health Services Research Institute in Ireland.
There are ongoing fears for the future of Portlaoise after a leaked report proposed it should be downgraded.
Health Minister Simon Harris has promised to consult with locals before any decision is made on the future of services.
John Hanniffy, secretary of the action committee, spoke to Midlands 103 about tonight’s meeting.
He said: “We’re trying to engage and educate ourselves in terms of the arguments for the retention of the services in Portlaoise Hospital.
“And also for an upgrade in some stage in the future.
“As part of that, we felt a need to engage with senior academics in the field which is something that we criticise the HSE – not engaging.”
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