http://youtu.be/Z0Pg6Oc1TM8

(Youtube: The Captain)

HEALTH MINISTER JAMES Reilly was at Roscommon County Hospital on business yesterday, where he was greeted by dozens of angry protesters.

There’s been widespread opposition in the area over the decision to close the facility’s Emergency Department, which was shut down in July of 2011.

The accident & emergency department was replaced with an ‘urgent care unit’ operating from 8am to 8pm, followed by an out-of-hours GP service.

There have been further problems at Roscommon since then, with issues surrounding staffing problems at the facility making the headlines last year.

More recently, consultants at the hospital have said the closure of the ED would have required a lot of additional staff to bring it up to standard. Dr Gerry O’Mara said he could now stand over the service provided and that patients could be assured of safer service.

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