Johnny Brady (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

In recent months my constituents have been greatly inconvenienced by the HSE decision to immediately end all acute and emergency surgery at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. This is a major cause of concern to me, my constituents and staff at the hospital. I am also dismayed and dissatisfied with the way announcements were made, by the lack of consultation and by the absence of any clarification as to why these decisions were taken. I do not understand why the decision was made with such urgency. Since 2006, major surgical interventions have not occurred in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. In February 2010, the previous practice whereby patients requiring major surgical intervention were taken by ambulance to Navan to be stabilised and then transferred to other hospitals ceased. Complex trauma patients who require major surgical interventions are now taken directly by ambulance to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda or another appropriate hospital.

Over recent weeks, my colleagues and I have met the relevant authorities associated with the hospital to try and establish the truth of the situation and to seek clarification. My first and foremost priority is the safety of all prospective patients in County Meath. Consultants are adamant that there is no justification for the removal of keyhole surgery. All surgical activity is discussed at weekly audits and no concerns have been raised in the four years these audits have been held. The decision to prohibit this type of keyhole work in the hospital means arrangements must be made for patients to undergo their surgery in other already overcrowded and busy hospitals. Figures and data since 2003 for keyhole surgery at the hospital compare favourably with those of other hospitals.

Last month the HSE said that following ongoing clinical review at Our Lady's Hospital, there were a number of concerns regarding surgery. Developments and assessments since then show that concerns have not been justified and the hospital remains within peer unit norms for this type of surgery. Removing this elective work is therefore not justified. All the evidence indicates that elective surgery is safe at the hospital. Removal of this surgery would impact negatively on other services at the hospital, such as accident and emergency services, medical and orthopaedic services. This is unacceptable.

The management of our multi-billion investment in health in this country is of great concern. In comparison with value for money and services provided in other jurisdictions, we need to get better value for our investment. In the current economic climate, if we asked any businessman or woman what would be necessary to be done to survive in business, their first action would not be to make cuts in their front lines. I call on management of the HSE in the north east to reassess their priorities and spending processes. Frontline services are vital to our community. Over burdening other hospitals is not the answer. Our Lady's Hospital has an orthopaedic unit that has served people in the north east with great effect and excellent results for many decades. It is vital this service remains in place. We do not have the capacity within local hospital structures to accommodate the amount of work that has been dealt with in the Navan hospital.

The recent news that wards are to close shortly and that staff can expect to be redeployed is unacceptable. With the approach of winter and the extra pressure this inevitably brings on hospitals, I urge the HSE to rethink its position and consult with hospital staff. It is vital that all less complex care and significant diagnostics are provided locally.

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