Inquiry to probe quality of hospital care

A PUBLIC inquiry is to be established by the Monaghan Health Services Action Group (HSAG) to examine the quality of care being offered by Monaghan General Hospital.

The HSAG say the inquiry is aimed at giving the public an opportunity to highlight the impact on their lives of the downgrading of the hospital.

Monaghan General was thrust into the limelight again last month after a 76-year-old patient, Patrick Walsh, died at the hospital because he was unable to access surgical treatment after 5pm and a bed could not be found for him at Cavan or Drogheda hospitals.

A three-person panel - a legal expert, medical expert and lay person - will listen to evidence from former patients and relatives of patients who were cared for at Monaghan.

A firm of Dublin lawyers has been hired by the group to oversee the tribunal, which, it is hoped, will sit for two days early next year.

According to the HSAG, at least seven people offered to give evidence at the hearing at a public meeting in the town on Wednesday night. It is hoped that 20 people will give written and oral testimony to the panel and that the report will be ready four weeks after the hearing.

Over the coming weeks, a book of evidence will be prepared by the HSAG. The Health Service Executive and Department of Health will also be invited to attend the tribunal, which will be fully funded from HSAG fundraising.

Up to 850 people attended Wednesday’s public meeting in Monaghan with debate on the hospital services being described as “spirited” but with a “lot of fear and anger expressed”.

HSAG chairman Peadar McMahon said the hearing should be objective as they intended inviting renowned legal and medical professionals to take part.

“It will not be all bad accounts of the hospital, as some people say they would be dead without the hospital. Again, this shows its importance in the region,

“We hope to prove that the health services provided in this region are not patient-centred and do not give equal access to acute care,” he said.

A spokesman for the North Eastern Health Board last night said their report into the death of Patrick Walsh should be ready in two to three weeks.