Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee have provided the public with an update of activities. Recently, upon invitation and facilitation from deputy Brian Stanley, the committee chairman, secretary and PRO met with Sinn Féin’s party leader, Mary-Lou McDonald and councillor, Caroline Dwane Stanley.
“We were grateful for the opportunity to update representative on the historical, evolutionary and future plans of the campaign. We appreciated the meaningful time given to us as well as the assurances of support for the campaign going forward,” said a statement from the group this afternoon.
“It was encouraging to read Deputy McDonald’s statement of support for the committee’s work with the public: “I think the activism on the ground has been first-class. I think the community has stood very firmly together.”
Chairman Tommy Timmons asserted: “It was validating to have a party leader share our awareness of the vital need for the A & E in Portlaoise. We look forward to Brian Stanley and colleagues’ continued dedication to supporting the services in MRHP. Support by all parties is most welcome!”.
John Hanniffy, committee secretary provided an update: “As previously shared, in collaboration with local medical, demographic and report writing professionals, the committee has been drafting a report as an alternative vision for Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.
“In the coming weeks, we will release the draft report for wider consultation with stakeholders and will invite stakeholders to provide feedback for consideration”. Stakeholders will also be invited to attend a consultation meeting.
PRO Eimear Holland stated: “the committee is dedicated to engaging the public in a meaningful and democratic process of consultation. Unlike O’Reilly’s report, this report will robustly arrive at conclusions and recommendations which are evidence based and which are tied to best practice principles of equity, inclusion and safe practice”.
The committee looks forward to presenting the report to Minister Harris for his consideration. The report will be shared via our new website in the coming weeks: www.ourhospitalsmatter.ie
The campaign website, ‘Our Hospitals Matter’ is to be launched on September 10 at 6pm. This website provides the public with a one stop shop platform for accessing information, news, events, posters and videos etc.
It allows followers who might not be on Facebook and/or Twitter to view a live stream of campaign posts and tweets from Facebook and Twitter. It also facilitates the public to join up to a Newsletter and to contact them directly.
On the back of requests from the public, we also include a link for those who wish to make a donation to the campaign. Committee Treasurer, Harry Allen made the following statement: “The work of the committee continues to be 100% voluntary. We have been very fortunate to have many of the costs of the campaign supported by the community in one way or another.
“However, the production of a high level report accrues costs. We would appreciate donations of any amount. We will provide an update regarding the use of funds. We would like to thank Michael Lynch for design and implementation of our website and to Caroline Bergin of CPBM for generously upfronting the initial costs of the website.”
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