UP TO ONE THOUSAND PEOPLE PROTESTED AT ROSCOMMON COUNTY HOSPITAL THIS AFTERNOON.

THE PROTEST WAS ORGANISED BY THE ROSCOMMON HOSPITAL ACTION COMMITTEE AND CALLED FOR THE RESTORATION OF VITAL SERVICES IN THE HOSPITAL INCLUDING A FULL A & E SERVICE.

FROM MONDAY NEXT, AUGUST 8^TH, THE URGENT CARE CENTRE WHICH HAS BEEN OPEN 24/7 SINCE JULY 11^TH WILL CLOSE OVERNIGHT AND AT WEEKENDS.

THE NEW WEEKDAY SERVICE MONDAY TO FRIDAY WILL RUN FROM 9AM TO 5PM.

PEOPLE WHO ARE ILL IN THE OUT OF HOURS TIMES ARE ADVISED TO CALL A NURSE AT THE WESTDOC SERVICE WHO WILL THEN ASSESS WHETHER A CONSULTATION WITH A GP IS WARRANTED.

IN CASES OF EMERGENCIES, WHEN PEOPLE CALL 999, THEY WILL BE TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO OTHER HOSPITALS WITHIN THE REGION WITH 24 HOUR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS.