Monaghan Hospital

At the outset I want to say that I am very disappointed the hours at the Minor Injuries Unit at Monaghan Hospital are being reduced to an 8 hour 5 day service from Monday to Friday.

I had a number of meetings with the Minister regarding the issue and highlighted to him that once again services were being removed from Monaghan and transferred to Cavan.  I also emphasised very strongly to him that cost savings could be found in the area of administration rather than reducing front line services.  He took on board the issues I raised and as a result instructed the HSE to examine other possibilities regarding cost saving measures.

Unfortunately I received notification late on Thursday evening last from the Minister stating that as a result of the current budgetary and financial position facing the health system there was no alternative but to reduce the opening hours at the Minor Injuries Unit at Monaghan Hospital.  The HSE had reviewed other possible options to save money and/or increase revenue, but concluded that they would not generate sufficient savings in the short term.

The Minister also confirmed to me that this is not reconfiguration by the back door and the HSE will not be allowed use budget cuts as a reconfiguration exercise.  He advised that his Department is currently putting together a framework for smaller hospitals and I want to state clearly that I will continue to fight for the provision of expanded services in Monaghan Hospital.

Monaghan Hospital

At the outset I want to say that I am very disappointed the hours at the Minor Injuries Unit at Monaghan Hospital are being reduced to an 8 hour 5 day service from Monday to Friday.

I had a number of meetings with the Minister regarding the issue and highlighted to him that once again services were being removed from Monaghan and transferred to Cavan.  I also emphasised very strongly to him that cost savings could be found in the area of administration rather than reducing front line services.  He took on board the issues I raised and as a result instructed the HSE to examine other possibilities regarding cost saving measures.

Unfortunately I received notification late on Thursday evening last from the Minister stating that as a result of the current budgetary and financial position facing the health system there was no alternative but to reduce the opening hours at the Minor Injuries Unit at Monaghan Hospital.  The HSE had reviewed other possible options to save money and/or increase revenue, but concluded that they would not generate sufficient savings in the short term.

The Minister also confirmed to me that this is not reconfiguration by the back door and the HSE will not be allowed use budget cuts as a reconfiguration exercise.  He advised that his Department is currently putting together a framework for smaller hospitals and I want to state clearly that I will continue to fight for the provision of expanded services in Monaghan Hospital.

Heather Humphries