This petition calls upon the HSE to protect and maintain A&E services at Mullingar hospital. This hospital serves the counties of Westmeath and Longford and any change in the status of A&E services would pose a significant health risk to patients due to increased journey times and lack of alternate facilities. We also call on the HSE to recognise the special position of Mullingar hospital, recognising that it serves two counties and is the only hospital in the midland region to do so and to recognise the commitments given to the people of Longford as regards future services when Longford Hospital was closed down. We call on the HSE to state, clearly an unequivocally, that there is no threat to A&E services at Mullingar and that it will be maintained as a fully functional service given its critical geographic location.