Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)

I support this timely motion. The case of Mr. Pat Joe Walsh has been dealt with by my colleague, Deputy Ó Caoláin. I want to know what is the Government's position in this regard? The kind of step-down facility it hopes to provide in County Monaghan caused the death of Pat Joe Walsh. I cannot accept that.

As for the Teamwork report, many people believe it will not apply to them. I remind them that initially, it will apply to four counties in the north east. It is a pilot project and will eventually be rolled out nationally. While it will not happen before the next general election, it will come to people's doors.

Moreover, after the next general election, there will be further closures of accident and emergency departments nationwide. People may take comfort from noting that money is being spent on their local hospitals and consequently may wonder how services could be terminated or reduced. Monaghan General Hospital has never had so much money spent actively on it as at present. A total of €4.5 million is being spent to refurbish two wards and Monaghan General Hospital has a state-of-the-art accident and emergency department. At present, it has 24-hour accident and emergency services with medical cover seven days a week. It is proposed to replace this with 12-hour nurse-led cover seven days a week. Moreover, its X-ray department service, which operates on a 24-hour basis seven days a week will be replaced with a day service. The high care unit will be moved, first, to Cavan and eventually to Drogheda and acute beds will be removed.

The Health Service Executive states that the hospital will have a residential component. This is new phraseology that means a step-down facility or, if one prefers, an upgraded nursing home. This is what people claim to be a better and safer service, although no new service will be put in its place. On any given day on which a trolley count is performed, counties Cavan and Monaghan will have more than 20% of the national trolley count. The staff in both hospitals are worked into the ground and are absolutely demoralised. Someone should re-examine what constitutes a better and safer service. While I know that services must be upgraded, there is a role for smaller hospitals. They should be allowed to play that role in the delivery of health care services.

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