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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 May 1979

Vol. 314 No. 11

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cavan Surgical Hospital.

3.

asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the present situation in the Cavan Surgical Hospital.

4.

(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to press reports regarding the Surgical Hospital, Cavan; if he will make a full statement clarifying the position and take immediate steps to have full surgical services restored to this hospital.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.

I have seen recent press reports regarding the Cavan Surgical Hospital. The provision of services at the Hospital is primarily a matter for the North-Eastern Health Board. I am informed by the board that surgery had been temporarily suspended at this hospital while the consultant surgeon was on special leave pending completion of investigations into complaints received regarding the treatment of patients at the hospital.

The chief executive officer made the following report on the matter to the health board at their meeting on 21 May 1979:

At earlier meetings, I informed the members of the Board of developments at Cavan Surgical Hospital and outlined the action which I proposed to take in light of these developments.

The independent investigating group of medically qualified persons established to inquire into specific cases of the care and treatment of patients under the charge of Mr. Hanna, County Surgeon, has now reported to me. In many instances, it was not possible for the group to arrive at conclusions concerning the complaints.

However, there are several significant aspects of the working of the hospital causing concern. These were very difficult to define, but arose in the hospital in areas of management, support, communications and confidence. The findings, however, show no evidence of culpable negligence in relation to patient care on the part of Mr. Hanna.

Solutions to the problems are being sought and a number of staffing arrangements are in the offing.

Significant among these is the recommendation by the Local Appointments Commission of a second surgeon to the unit and it is hoped that the appointee will take up duty in the hospital on 1st July. Mr. Hanna will be granted study leave and will be absent from the hospital for a period of approximately six months.

We are continuing actively to seek a locum surgeon and are not admitting cases for surgery to the unit until we do so. The family doctors in the area have been advised to this effect and arrangements have been made with hospitals in Monaghan, Navan, Drogheda and Dublin in relation to surgical patients.

The health board discussed the report and endorsed the action taken by the chief executive officer.

(Cavan-Monaghan): I take it that the report quoted by the Minister was intended to clarify the position. I suggest that it actually creates more doubts and uncertainties than clarification. In view of the fact that Mr. Hanna is apparently on six months study leave, will the Minister take steps, through the health board, to see that there is a locum surgeon there between now and 1 July? If there is not a locum, there will be no surgical facilities in the hospital. The Minister will appreciate that the absence of surgical facilities means that patients have to go to Navan, Drogheda, Dublin and Monaghan. Does the Minister appreciate that patients who are just outside the health card category have to pay the cost of travelling to these hospitals three or four times? Will he take steps to see that they are indemnified against that expense?

The only thing I can do is assure the Deputy that the health board and the chief executive officers are making every effort and availing of every possibility open to them to ensure that the necessary level of surgical services is fully restored in Cavan at the earliest possible moment. If there are any difficulties in regard to the cost of transport of any particular patients, I will ask the chief executive officer to look into these matters as sympathetically as possible.

(Cavan-Monaghan): I am grateful to the Minister. I met a lady recently who told me she had to go back to Drogheda for a check up and was due to go there the following Wednesday but it would cost her £20 and she could not afford it.

She was not a medical card holder?

(Cavan-Monaghan): No, she was just outside the category. The Minister is aware that many people have lost their cards. I do not want to drag this matter out but I ask him to understand that there is a serious, unsatisfactory situation there which has not in any way been clarified by the statement he read out. I ask him to see that a locum is got immediately.

I will emphasise that aspect to the chief executive officer.

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