Martin seeks solution to Monaghan ghost hospital

Because of a lack of anaesthetic cover, the hospital has been "off-call" since July 2, with patients being transferred to Cavan hospital.

However, some surgery took place in Monaghan last week and a number of services have continued, according to the North Eastern Health Board, which manages the hospital. It was hoped the re-admission of low-risk patients could begin early this week.

The transfer of patients has caused chaos in Cavan, according to Fine Gael spokesperson Olivia Mitchell. She said it has left patients on trolleys for three days, causing the deferral of elective surgery and prompting a work to rule in the hospital's accident and emergency department because staff cannot cope with the increased numbers.

In a statement, the board said it was necessary to take Monaghan hospital off-call, "because the College of Anaesthetists were not in a position to approve training posts for junior hospital doctors." A proposal has been put together by the Faculty of Anaesthetists guaranteeing that anaesthetic services resume at Monaghan. The board statement said it was essential the proposals were agreed by all the consultant staff at Cavan/Monaghan.

A Department of Health spokesman said the Minister was keen to see the future arrangements between the College of Anaesthetists and the NEHB brought to a speedy conclusion.

"The future of Monaghan General Hospital is safe," the department spokesperson said. Capital spending had been spent recently in upgrading services there and a consultant dermatologist and geriatric consultant had been appointed. Approval for a third consultant had just come through.

Another had been earmarked for the Monaghan hospital's development control plan, the spokesperson said.