Madam, - The recent publication of a number of reports on the health services has led to heated discussion in both medical and non-medical communities.
The Hanly Report suggesting major changes to the structure of hospital services has been particularly contentious. The changes it suggests, if implemented, would have a major effect on both urban and rural communities. The structural changes proposed for hospitals would be irreversible.
Published evidence continues to emerge from both the US and UK that the structures proposed by Hanly may not be the best way to proceed. Presumably the advocates of the Hanly report will confirm that published scientific data exists to support its proposals.
I suggest that both sides of the argument should be presented in a public forum. This could be done, for instance, on a special Prime Time programme.
The people of this country needs and deserve to know that the enormous changes as proposed in this report are based on established scientific data and that the baggage of personal agendas does not cloud the issue. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL O'DONOVAN,
MD, FRCPI,
Midland Regional Hospital,
Mullingar,
Co Westmeath.