Margaret Conlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

Health care provision is an emotive issue. No one disputes that we all want the best health care for our families, our friends and ourselves. That is why I welcome the opportunity to speak on an extremely important issue to me and to the people of counties Cavan and Monaghan. It is appropriate this should be my maiden speech in Dáil Eireann. It is vital this debate deals with the facts because there is no room for myths, presumptions or scaremongering.

For too long in County Monaghan, we have listened to negative spin which can and does dent patients' confidence in using the service. This Government remains committed to providing the best possible acute care to people living in the north east and providing the people of County Monaghan and the north east with the most modern, integrated, safe and patient-focused service ever devised in this country. That service will take at least five to seven years to become fully up and running and will be based around a regional hospital, with Monaghan and other local hospitals and community services providing the majority of health needs locally. International evidence confirms that the more frequently a surgeon performs specialised operations, the more successful the outcome for the patient. If I were having an operation on my gall bladder, I would rather be operated on by a surgeon doing ten procedures each week as opposed to ten each month.

The new integrated health services will be designed around clinical needs, offer better access to specialist services, provide more day care services, which are less invasive and mean less time spent in hospital, have the most up to date technology and equipment, provide improved critical care and have a better working environment for staff, which is important. Central to this new integrated health service is the development of primary care teams across County Monaghan and the north east. Each team will include GPs, nursing staff and other therapists who work together to provide a comprehensive community health service to local communities.

The Government and the HSE have given a clear commitment that as health services in the region are developed, existing services will remain in place until they are replaced with higher quality, safer or more appropriate services. The health service is undergoing the biggest period of investment and reform since the foundation of the State. Monaghan hospital is also undergoing a major period of change, as are other hospitals. However, it will continue to meet the majority of the people's health needs. The regional hospital will provide emergency and trauma services on a 24-hour basis. It will also provide planned specialist procedures which are complex and require the facilities of a large regional hospital. The reality is that due to technological advancements, many procedures which would have required a long stay in hospitals can now be carried out as day procedures, which means patients can receive care in the appropriate setting.

Last night, the Opposition spokesperson on health, Deputy Reilly, referred to the stripping of services at the hospital. Perhaps it was not the Deputy's intention to mislead the house but I would like to clarify the situation nonetheless. This month, Monaghan hospital will open two new state-of-the-art medical wards catering for 50 patients at a cost of €5 million. This investment will allow the hospital to carry out a range of medical and day procedures for the people of County Monaghan. The beds to which Deputy Reilly referred were always surgical beds and were moved to Cavan General Hospital along with the surgical procedures and consultants. These beds were used as medical overflow beds and Monaghan hospital was never told it could increase the commissioning of medical beds. There are now 56 beds, including six additional high care beds. I realise the HSE and patients are facing significant challenges. However, it is important to highlight progress when it is being made. Contrary to local media and Opposition reports, ear, nose and throat services have not been discontinued and there is a proposal to expand these services in conjunction with Northern Ireland. Proposals have also been made to expand urology diagnostics and day procedures and to completely refurbish a dedicated day care services unit on the first floor of Monaghan Hospital. Waiting times for operations in counties Cavan and Monaghan have been dramatically reduced to three months or less, unless by choice or due to a medical condition.

I reaffirm my commitment to Monaghan Hospital. I will continue to fight to ensure appropriate services and to remain confident that any member of my family can avail of high quality services.

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