The future of maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital is now a 'political decision'.
That's according to Cllr Laurence Fallon who's calling on Roscommon County Council to write to the Health Minister over the matter.
It follows a HSE announcement earlier this month that high-risk pregnancies would be moved to University Hospital Galway.
At a meeting of the Athlone Municipal District today, Cllr Valerie Duffy called for funding to be provided for recommended upgrades at the Ballinasloe hospital:
Cllr Fallon said the HSE had already made the decision to downgrade the hospital.
He wants the Minister of Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to reverse the decision:
Cllr Emer Kelly says moving maternity services from Ballinasloe will have a major impact on expectant mothers in this region.
Speaking to me earlier today, she says it would add significant travel time for those requiring the service:
