Hospitals told to act immediately on Monaghan patient transfers

Hospitals in the north-east have been ordered to process transfers of patients from Monaghan General Hospital immediately.

The Health Service Executive has confirmed that all hospital managers, directors of nursing and the local medical boards in the region have been sent a directive to that effect.

It follows the case of 75-year-old Carrickmacross man Patrick Walsh who bled to death when efforts to transfer him for emergency surgery failed.

It later emerged that beds were available in Cavan and Drogheda.