The HSE says there has been a sharp increase of people seeking care for viral winter illnesses.

Fine Gael Cllr Alan Harney raised the issue at the most recent regional health forum meeting.

It comes after the Roscommon Hospital Action Committee claimed the 24-bed unit in the hospital needs to be replaced.

It comes as trolley figures continue to surge across the region with 62 patients waiting for a bed as of this morning.

The HSE have confirmed that work will begin on the new Primary Care Centre in January.

Children with the likes of autism are waiting to have an assessment of need completed - and is nearly 1,600 more nationally in the space of 3 months.

Latest figures revealed in an internal HSE document show over 12,000 children are overdue an assessment nationally.

Deputy Marian Harkin says current ambulance response times in Leitrim are unacceptable.