After-hours surgery allowed in case of major emergency

IN the case of a major emergency, surgical staff at Monaghan General Hospital could be called in to perform after-hours surgery, the Health Service Executive (HSE) said yesterday.

The hospital has been at the centre of controversy this month after a 76-year-old Patrick Walsh died at the hospital because he was unable to get emergency surgery.

Monaghan General can only provide emergency surgery from 8am-5pm every day after a protocol was issued by the HSE saying emergency surgery should be re-directed to hospitals in Cavan or Drogheda after hours.