The Justice Minister says it's "absolutely baffling" the HSE would try to push through changes at Our Lady's Hospital in Navan without consulting with other hospitals impacted by the changes.
Helen McEntee says Paul Reid and the HSE have listened to the genuine concerns expressed by clinicians in Navan, but not those raised by clinicians in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, which is where patients would be instructed to go.
The HSE denies closing the emergency department and ICU beds is a downgrade. They will be replaced with a local injury unit and a medical assessment unit.
Earlier this week, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar questioned whether the HSE's plan is wise.
Sinn Féin has said the contradictory statements from the HSE and the Government is adding to the frustration of locals and campaigners.
Speaking on LMFM, Minister McEntee says she has been asking for questions to be answered for years:
"All we want is the best for people in our county.
"All we want is to have the appropriate services and if people have to go elsewhere that's fine.
"When I have clinicians and the Director of Services in Drogheda saying to me:
"'We don't have the capacity. This is a risk that is now going to be put on us. We haven't been spoken to and we don't have any additional investment.'
"I have to take that seriously too and I take that very seriously."
If the emergency department closed it would mean county Meath would not have an A&E meaning those seeking urgent medical attention would have to travel to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown or Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda.
