Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to debate the following urgent matter: the need to discuss the north-east transformation programme which is intended by the HSE, with the support of the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, to implement the Hanly-Teamwork report. This will have extremely serious consequences for Monaghan General Hospital. On the one hand Mr. Stephen Mulvaney's report states that the HSE has given a clear commitment that existing services in the north east will remain in place until they are replaced by higher quality, safer or more appropriate services, yet the last item on the same report declares that the HSE will transfer the Monaghan critical care unit to either Cavan or Drogheda — it does not yet know which. This is due to happen in 2008. It will also transfer the remaining acute care service from Monaghan to Cavan in 2008, with the virtual closure of the seven day, 24 hour accident and emergency unit in Monaghan. It will be replaced with a 12 hour minor injuries unit. In other words, the people of Monaghan must have an accident or get sick by the clock. This is the HSE and Government proposal for the rest of the country and people should be aware of it.

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