There are fears for the future of the ophthalmology services provided in Longford town. The service operates from St Joseph's Hospital on the Dublin road in the town. According to Local Councillor Peggy Nolan, the current ophthalmologist will leave the post early next year.
Councillor Nolan says the HSE now plan to move the service to Mullingar Hospital once the staff member in question leaves. Shannonside FM News have contacted the HSE for a statement on the issue but have yet to receive a response. The Fine Gael representative says it is not the first time services have been removed from St Joseph's in favour of the Midlands Regional Hospitals in Mullingar and Tullamore: