Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I look forward to receiving the outcome of the inquiry quickly as it is clear that many questions need to be answered.

The issue of giving on-call or off-call status to certain hospital services, about which I was specifically asked, is a matter for the Health Service Executive. It is a question of patient safety rather than of resources. Deputy Connolly said that a group of surgeons called unanimously in a letter for the return of on-call emergency status at Monaghan General Hospital. However, the steering group that unanimously recommended that such status be retained at Cavan General Hospital included representatives of the group of surgeons.

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