I am glad of the opportunity to raise the important matter of the future provision of surgery at Monaghan general hospital. I thank the Minister of State for attending the House to reply to the Adjournment debate. There has been much anxiety in the north Monaghan region regarding the lack of progress towards the implementation of the North-Eastern Health Board's proposals for the upgrading and restructuring of Monaghan general hospital.
A recent article by Ms Margaret Curley in the Irish Medical News stating that major surgery procedures are likely to be phased out over two years at the hospital, has raised anxiety among staff, patients and the general public.
While I appreciate that a statement by the North-Eastern Health Board clearly said that surgical services will continue and be developed at Monaghan, the real answer people are awaiting is a clear commitment from the Government that the £5 million needed to build theatres and restructure the hospital in general will be granted now.
Monaghan continues to provide a necessary and important service to the people of County Monaghan, as well as for all those who travel through Monaghan, especially along the Dublin-Derry road and the Belfast-Galway road. It is essential that surgical treatment is available seven days a week.
New theatres together with back-up services must be provided if Monaghan general hospital is to be treated as an equal partner with Cavan general hospital, in the joint arrangement agreed by the North-Eastern Health Board supported the former Ministers for Health, Deputies Howlin and Noonan. That joint hospital structure continues to be supported by the present Minister, Deputy Cowen.
Monaghan general hospital is a much older structure than its counterpart in Cavan. Consequently, it requires considerable upgrading. A new accident and emergency department must be provided to avoid causing upset to in-patients and their families, especially during the night, as happens at present.
Apart from the new theatre suites and upgrading the medical and surgery wards, a new maternity unit, together with pathology and radiology departments, must be provided. Extended out-patient and child care facilities plus a new high dependency coronary care unit is also vital.
Many other issues need to be addressed. I hope that before too long the Minister will see for himself that even a proper car park is crucial for the hospital. A new mortuary is also required so that post mortems can be carried out on site to avoid further trauma for the families concerned. When this necessary work is sanctioned and financed by the Minister, Deputy Cowen, the story in the Irish Medical News will be refuted. Comhairle na nOspideál will be glad to agree the necessary consultants needed to the Cavan-Monaghan unit, giving equal status to Monaghan general hospital in all the vital areas, including maternity, child care and accident and emergency on a full-time basis.
The commitment by the North-Eastern Health Board to develop speciality services should mean that many journeys to Dublin will be avoided, along with the cost they entail. In addition, patients' pain and suffering will be relieved much earlier.
I urge the Minister to provide the funds necessary to allow work to start this year, thus removing the rumours and uncertainty. The tax and general income received by the Government is above all expectation, so the funds are available. The Minister Deputy Cowen, has provided £50 million for Tullamore and a further £24 million for Portlaoise. The sum of £5 million for Monaghan should not only be possible but justified for the Border region. The total package for the four counties of Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath proposed and approved in June 1998 by the North-Eastern Health Board, would cost £25 million. It would deliver a full and comprehensive health service to the region. It compares favourably to the capital cost in any other health board region.
The appointment last year of two new surgeons to the Cavan-Monaghan hospital, based on the Monaghan site, brings to five the total number of surgeons, each with special interests. The Cavan-Monaghan hospital has the capacity to supply a full range of services to the catchment area. However, Monaghan must be upgraded. There have been some problems in the provision of anaesthetist services. I understand this is being rectified, but it led to added anxiety.
Many lives have been saved, especially at weekends, by the fine surgeons, doctors and nursing staff at Monaghan general hospital. All the staff are committed to serving the people of Monaghan. Please given them a chance to do so. I hope the Minister of State will be able to advise me, sooner rather than later that the Minister can come to the region to announce the necessary funding. The Border region deserves this and I know the Leas Ceann Comhairle will fully support me in any efforts to make sure that Monaghan general hospital is not only saved but improved.
