GPs in Co Laois who are opposed to the downgrading of emergency department facilities at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise say an urgent meeting with the Minister for Health has been deferred until April.
The meeting was due to take place later this week.
Doctors say they are anxious to discuss a cohesive plan for the future of the Laois hospital before they engage with the HSE any further on its proposals for change there.
The doctors have now been told that Mr Harris will meet them on 25 April instead of this Wednesday 29 March as originally agreed.
Last month the GPs declined an offer of a meeting with the Dublin and Midlands Hospital Group Chief Executive, Dr Susan O'Reilly, because they say they have not been given an advance copy of what is proposed for the emergency department at Portlaoise.
The Health Service Executive has confirmed plans to staff a new medical assessment unit at the hospital but it is not clear how this will effect the emergency department facilities.
