Millstreet hospital 'safe for now', says Collins
MILLSTREET Community Hospital will be spared the axe of closure "for now", according to FG Deputy Áine Collins.
At a meeting at the Wallis Arms Hotel in Millstreet recently, she said that she could confirm that the hospital "will not be closing this year under the recently proposed budgetary cuts."
However, she did issue a somewhat cautious note about the viability of the future of the hospital. "According to the Department of Health, the future of Millstreet Hospital is safe for now," she said.
She also said the establishment of a local action group could go some way to ensuring the long-term viability of the hospital.
She is now proposing the establishment of such a group to "listen and represent local interests where the future development of the hospital is concerned."
"The group would represent the interests of those who live locally and who would be most heavily impacted by any changes," said Deputy Collins.
"The provision of community care is essential to those who live in Millstreet and its surrounding areas. The hospital is an invaluable part of our community and, I am delighted to say, will remain so for the foreseeable future."
- MARIA HERLIHY MHERLIHY@CORKMAN.IE
