Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Cavan General Hospital has the same number of beds as Mullingar General Hospital. When comparing inpatient activity, day care or accident and emergency activity, there is a huge difference between what is done in Cavan and what is done in Mullingar, and I have said so on the public record on a number of occasions. The authorities in Cavan have visited Mullingar and I welcome that. It is good that hospitals work with each other to improve performance.

The report was produced by clinicians, not politicians, administrators or bureaucrats. Clinicians made the recommendations therein. One of the most worrying aspects of the report was that attention was drawn to a situation in the region where interpersonal relationships among clinicians interfere with patient care.

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