The people of Monaghan deserve adequate health services, the same as anybody else in the State. We are fortunate to have a hospital in Monaghan, given closures in other communities across the State under previous Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil Governments. We are fortunate to have incredible, hard-working staff in our local hospital, staff who provide among the highest standards of care, all too often in challenging circumstances not of their making. Monaghan is one of the areas where successive Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil Governments have not only failed to deliver adequate services but have callously ripped crucial health services from the heart of our community. The care provided by workers in the minor injury unit is of a standard we expect from our healthcare professionals. However, the standard we expect can only met by them when they have access to the equipment we expect to be available. Some weeks back, a former town councillor, Tommy Hagan spoke to Northern Sound radio and to me outlining that he had to be referred to Cavan General Hospital because the minor injuries unit in Monaghan could only do X-rays below the knee. At the same time, people presenting at the accident and emergency department in Cavan can wait up to 24 hours. Does the Minister of State believe this situation is acceptable? How has she examined the need for more services in Monaghan Hospital? There is no MRI machine there and the HSE informed me that patients from Cavan and Monaghan have access to MRI services in Cavan. However, the waiting list in Cavan is significant, with more than 500 people waiting for over three months, an additional 500 people waiting for six months to a year and 58 people waiting for over a year. The HSE assures me that all referrals are vetted by a consultant, but I genuinely struggle to believe it. Does the Minister of State think it is credible that any referral is issued with a view to an MRI being carried out at some vague, indeterminate stage somewhere down the line? That does not sound like adequate access to me. The Minister of State cannot tell me that an MRI machine would not be impactful or give value for money. The HSE tells us it cannot determine this without a feasibility study, but that there is not a plan for a feasibility report because there is no service requirement, as people have access to Cavan. Over 1,000 people whom a consultant has determined to be in need of a scan are waiting three months to a year. Some 58 people are waiting for more than 12 months and we are told there is not a need to examine the possibility of a machine in Monaghan Hospital and the impact it would have. The gall of circular logic is utterly astounding. Does the Minister of State accept that the approach of successive Governments to strip services from Monaghan Hospital has been a failure? I appeal to her to finally commit to restoring services and investing in County Monaghan.
Sentiment score: 0.10
I thank the Minister of State. It is disappointing to see that the Minister is not here today. I would love to see these issues raised with her. I am leaving it with the Minister of State and the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach to ensure these issues are raised with the Minister. To be clear, the substantial investment the Minister of State talked about is not enough. The minor injuries unit and the MRI scanners are only examples of what we have to deal with in Monaghan. Similarly, both CT scanners for Cavan and Monaghan Hospital are in Cavan. The people of Monaghan have been left behind. The provision of an MRI and a CT scanner in Monaghan would contribute to alleviating the huge waiting lists in Cavan. I am giving the Minister of State a solution. I could also speak of the many other services in a similar situation. I appreciate the Minister of State is new to her office. I hope she can consider what I say to her today. She always says to bring solutions to the problem, so I am bringing one. The people in Monaghan and across this State cannot afford to endure more broken promises from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, which have not tackled any of the waiting lists. I heard the Minister for Health conducted a spot-check in the emergency room in University Hospital Limerick recently. I would like her to do the same in Cavan and Monaghan. She should come and do a spot-check and see how overcrowded the hospital in Cavan is and how doctors and nurses are at their wits' end. It is unsafe. Something needs to be done. I am giving the Minister a solution to the problem - put the proper equipment into Monaghan hospital and that will reduce waiting lists. This is needed in Monaghan for the restoration in full of each service taken away by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael with the promise of an efficient health service, which the Minister's party has failed to deliver. Will the Minister make a commitment? Finally-----
Sentiment score: 0.18
With the leniency of the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, I also ask that the Minister look to plan GPs in the towns of Cavan and Monaghan. People are struggling to get GP access. Will she look into that also?
Sentiment score: -0.14
I reiterate we are here to work with the Minister of State and provide solutions.
Sentiment score: 0.18