Protestors to mark closure of Roscommon A&E
The Accident and Emergency Department at Roscommon County Hospital will be replaced with an urgent care unit from today.
It is a move that has been condemned by local campaigners, and protests against the move are due to be held at a number of other hospitals across the country.
A protest is planned for Roscommon County hospital this morning, to mark the occasion of the hospital's emergency department becoming an 'urgent care unit'.
Sinn Féin is also organising protests at six other hospitals around the country.
The HSE West said it is planning a leaflet drop targetting Roscommon homes, and advertising in local press and radio, to inform people of what the new unit will offer.
However, local campaigners say they won't give up on their demands for a reversal of the decision.
Details emerged yesterday of a recording of the Taoiseach Enda Kenny promising to retain services at the hospital, in the run-up to the election.
Mr Kenny said the promise was "made in good faith", and was made before a report was released advising the A&E department was not safe.
This morning, two Fine Gael councillors in County Roscommon are due to make a statement on their future in the party as a result of the controversy.
