Surgeon ‘was reprimanded after carrying out emergency operation’

A SURGEON at Monaghan Hospital was reprimanded earlier this year because he carried out emergency surgery on a patient in breach of protocol, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny told the Dáil yesterday.

Mr Kenny mentioned the case in the context of 75-year-old Patrick Joseph Walsh, who bled to death from an ulcer last Friday because staff at Monaghan could not get a bed for him at three other hospitals - although it subsequently emerged both Drogheda and Cavan had intensive care beds available.

The staff themselves were unable to perform the live-saving operation required because Monaghan carries out only elective, and not emergency, surgery.