Ahern challenges Martin’s hospital reform plan

A SECOND minister has challenged Mícheál Martin’s hospital reform proposals by intervening in plans to downgrade Louth County Hospital.

Communications Minister Dermot Ahern yesterday called for an independent facilitator to resolve the Louth dispute.

Last week, Health Minister Mr Martin rejected calls at the Irish Nurses Organisation AGM to intervene in the dispute. He said it was not up to him to “micro-manage” individual hospitals and the matter was between the health board and staff at the Dundalk hospital.

Mr Ahern’s call yesterday for an independent facilitator is the second by a Government minister for Mr Martin to alter his hospital reform proposals at local level. Six months ago, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was forced to rebuke Defence Minister Michael Smith for his criticism of plans to downgrade Nenagh Hospital, in line with proposals contained in the Hanly report, Mr Martin’s template for health reform.

However, a spokesperson for Mr Martin denied Mr Ahern’s intervention yesterday had embarrassed the Health Minister. She said the Co Louth TD was free to suggest the appointment of an independent facilitator and her understanding was the North Eastern Health Board intended to do so.

However, Labour health spokesperson Liz McManus said the Louth row “showed up Government policy as a complete mess”.

“They’re trying to bring in Hanly without building up the capacity they need to implement it. What’s happened in Louth is the latest example of Hanly by stealth, downgrading the Dundalk hospital when Drogheda is already under strain.”

The row is between the medical board of Louth County Hospital and the North Eastern Health Board (NEHB) is over proposals to set up a joint surgery department with Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

The proposed removal of consultant-surgical care at the Dundalk hospital from July 1, has been described by the consultant board as “totally unsafe in every respect”.

The consultants deny reaching any agreement with the NEHB to reduce on-call cover. The NEHB, in turn, disputes this.

The plans to downgrade Louth County Hospital tie in with Hanly’s proposals to centralise services in regional centres of excellence. Our Lady of Lourdes would act as the centre of excellence in the NEHB. Monaghan General Hospital has already been downgraded with the removal of surgical on-call in July 2002.

The new department would see six consultant surgeons based in Our Lady of Lourdes, with 24-hour on-call cover at Dundalk restricted to junior doctors.

The Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) has threatened to go to the Labour Court today if NEHB does not agree to rescind the proposals and take part in a forum involving all the stakeholders.