No decision yet on Navan ED closure

No decision has been made on the proposed closure of the Emergency Department at Our Lady's Hospital in Navan, despite speculation that the move could happen as early as next April.

According to the government, no decision regarding the HSE’s proposal for the transition of the Emergency Department at Navan has been agreed.

"The Government have identified several important issues that would need to be addressed before the HSE could implement any changes. These issues include additional capacity in other hospitals impacted and the continued ability of people in the Navan area to access emergency and urgent care," according to a statement.

The statement came in response to concerns raised by Deputies Johnny Guirke and Darren O'Rourke regarding "an imminent closure date for the A&E Unit at Our Lady's Hospital in Navan, Meath,in April or May of 2024."

Deputy Guirke has formally requested clarification on the existence and details of an alleged closure schedule and called for for an immediate update on this matter from the minister.

There are plans to replace the Emergency Department at Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan with a medical assessment unit and local injury unit.

The HSE points out that Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, is the last of the nine hospitals identified in the Smaller Hospitals Framework to transition to a Model 2 Hospital, which would not have a 24 hour ED..

"The HSE has proposed a process of planned service changes at Our Lady's Hospital Navan and has advised that these changes are necessary to support safe service delivery on a sustained basis.

"Government recognises the very real clinical concerns identified by clinicians in Navan and elsewhere. However, the Government have identified several important issues that would need to be addressed before the HSE could implement any changes. These issues include additional capacity in other hospitals impacted and the continued ability of people in the Navan area to access emergency and urgent care.

"The HSE has undertaken a review of capacity in hospitals surrounding Navan. The review has been received by the Government and is currently under consideration. Engagement in relation to this matter is ongoing."

Deputy Guirke said there is significant opposition to the closure from the residents of Meath, general practitioners, clinicians at Navan Hospital, and other impacted hospitals in the region, including Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

"The current situation in our hospitals is dire, with staff feeling overwhelmed and many choosing to leave the country.

"The waiting times at our A&Es are reaching unprecedented levels. The decision to transfer patients from Navan to Drogheda is unlikely to alleviate these delays; instead, it may exacerbate the situation.

"We have three government ministers representing County Meath – Thomas Byrne, Helen McEntee, and Damien English – all of whom have seemingly been indecisive regarding the future of Our Lady’s Hospital.

"Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have regrettably failed to consider the possibility of keeping our A&E department operational."

Deputy Darren O’Rourke stated “I am aware of a number of people who have had their lives saved due to the A&E being open and nearby. I was contacted by one gentleman who suffered a cardiac arrest while in the A&E at Navan. Had he been forced to go to Drogheda or elsewhere, he would not have made it.”

Deputy O’Rourke stated “This is a very concerning development and echoes what I have heard from Senior Managers at the RCSI Group and Staff at Our Lady's Hospital Navan. The future of the A&E at Navan Hospital hangs in the balance, yet again, due to the failure of successive Governments to invest and adequately resource it.

“The planned closure must be resisted. Sinn Féin will do everything in our power to ensure that that's the case," he said.