Care centre promise from Fitzer

FINE Gael TD for Louth, Peter Fitzpatrick, says that he will continue to fight for a Primary Care Centre to be opened in Dundalk.

Speaking during a Dáil debate this week, on the new all-party committee to develop a single long term plan for healthcare, he stressed to Minister for Health Simon Harris ‘ the urgent need for a Primary Care Centre in Dundalk’. Mr Fitzpatrick said: ‘I will continue to work with them, to ensure that it opens soon’.

Mr Fitzpatrick said: ‘I’m acutely aware of the challenges facing the health services in Louth and I’m committed to continuing to fight for improved services for everyone in the county.

‘Unfortunately Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda regularly has a high number of people waiting on trollies in its A&E. While this is obviously a concern, which needs to be addressed, we should not judge the hospital solely on this statistic. Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital is one of the top hospitals in the country, with excellent staff. I have met many people during the course of my constituency work who have been treated or cared for in the Lourdes and the overriding view is that the treatment is second to none. ‘One issue which I’d like to highlight is the fact that many people are still unaware of the many services available in Louth County Hospital. Too many people are still going to Drogheda, when in fact they could go to the Minor Injuries Unit. The Minor Injuries Unit will also see its opening hours increased and the age at which patients can be treated will also be extended.

‘I believe that now is the time to put the benefits of our economic success to work for the people of Louth, so that we can help deliver the health services that this county deserves and I look forward to working with Minister Harris to ensure this happens’.