William Cotter
Question:94 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has for the provision of a modern coronary care unit in Monaghan General Hospital, County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Monaghan County Hospital.
The further development of the coronary care unit at Monaghan General Hospital is a matter in the first instance for the North-Eastern Health Board. This matter will have to be considered by the board in the context of the board's priority development requirements and the resources it has available for these purposes.
William Cotter
Question:95 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, his Department have to replace old and obsolete equipment in the various departments in Monaghan General Hospital, County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
William Cotter
Question:101 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Health if he will fund the provision of new ultrasound equipment for the maternity unit at Monaghan General Hospital, County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
William Cotter
Question:102 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Health if he will fund the provision of an echocardiography system for Monaghan General Hospital, County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
William Cotter
Question:103 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Health if he will fund the provision of an ECG testing system for Monaghan General Hospital, County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 101, 102 and 103 together.
The provision of equipment at Monaghan General Hospital is a matter in the first instance for the North-Eastern Health Board.
The board has submitted to my Department a list of equipment requirements for its hospitals, including the provision of several items at Monaghan General Hospital. These will have to be considered in the light of the many competing priority equipment requirements nationally and the resources available for this purpose.
William Cotter
Question:96 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Health the number of Domestic staff employed in Monaghan General Hospital, County Monaghan; the way in which this number compares with the number employed in the other hospitals in the North-Eastern Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
William Cotter
Question:98 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Health the number of permanent clerical office staff employed in Monaghan General Hospital, County Monaghan; the way in which this number compares with those employed in the other hospitals in the North-Eastern Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
William Cotter
Question:105 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Health the number of permanent nursing staff employed in Monaghan General Hospital, County Monaghan; and the way in which this figure compares with the number employed in the other hospitals in the North-Eastern Health Board area.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 98 and 105 together.
The North-Eastern Health Board has furnished information on the matters referred to by the Deputy and this is set out in the following tabular statement:—
Number of permanent staff including job sharers expressed in whole time equivalence at March, 1992.
|
Clerical/ Administrative |
Nursing |
Domestic |
|
|
Cavan General Hospital |
21 |
120 |
80 |
|
Monaghan General Hospital |
13 |
68 |
45 |
|
Louth County Hospital |
12 |
74 |
61 |
|
Our Lady's Hospital Navan |
20 |
89 |
36 |
The provision, organisation and management of services at these hospitals are a matter for the North-Eastern Health Board in the first instance. The identification of staffing needs, within the context of the overall financial resources available is thus a matter for the board. It is also a matter for the board to deploy its staffing and other resources as it sees fit.
The data contained in the attached table, particularly that relating to nursing staff, must be seen in the light of the additional services provided at Cavan General Hospital, and at Our Lady's Hospital Navan. As the Deputy is aware the former is the main centre for paediatric services for the Cavan/ Monaghan area and has an acute psychiatric unit, whilst the latter provides the regional orthopaedic service. The provision of these additional services is reflected in the staffing figures given for these hospitals.
William Cotter
Question:97 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Health whether satisfactory facilities exist for relatives attending seriously ill patients at Monaghan General Hospital, County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The provision of services at Monaghan General Hospital is a matter in the first instance for the North Eastern Health Board.
I understand that the board proposes to provide a waiting room and facilities for light refreshments at Monaghan General Hospital for relatives of seriously ill patients.
William Cotter
Question:99 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Health if conditions in the laboratory in Monaghan General Hospital, County Monaghan are consistent with the basic requirements of fire regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department have made inquiries of the North Eastern Health Board, which is the board with primary responsibility for Monaghan General Hospital, and I understand that conditions in the laboratary at the hospital are considered to be consistent with the basic requirements of fire regulations.
William Cotter
Question:100 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to fund the appointment of additional senior house officers to the medical wards of Monaghan General Hospital, County Monaghan; if the number of such appointments is currently adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The identification of staffing needs at Monaghan General Hospital is a matter for the North Eastern Health Board in the first instance. Proposals for the filling of new and replacement posts are reviewed on a monthly basis by my Department. This review is undertaken having regard to service and personnel criteria in the context of the priority afforded to each post by the agency concerned and with particular regard to the availability of financial resources.
Under existing personnel policy, it is, therefore, the responsibility of each health agency to submit prioritised manpower proposals to my Department including details of service requirement and proposed funding arrangements.
Proposals in respect of the posts referred to by the Deputy have not been included by the North Eastern Health Board in its most recent manpower submission to my Department.
William Cotter
Question:104 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Monaghan General Hospital, County Monaghan, is losing revenue from outpatient charges due to inadequate staff for the collection of revenue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have made inquiries of the North Eastern Health Board and I am informed that all patients referred to Out-Patients Department of Monaghan General Hospital are checked for eligibility. Those required to pay the out-patients charge are advised according at the time. Receipts are issued on the spot to those who pay. Bills are issued to those who don't pay and followed up with a reminder where appropriate.
I am conscious of the fact that of the number of out-patients attending Monaghan General Hospital, a high proportion of these are medical card holders and as the Deputy is aware no charge is raised in such cases.
I am concerned that the income generation potential of all agencies should be maximised and I am placing particular emphasis on this in the current year.