Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy. I welcome the opportunity to address the House on the services provided at Monaghan Hospital. I absolutely see the Deputy's concerns. The Government is committed to the ongoing development of our regional hospitals, including Cavan and Monaghan Hospital. Cavan General Hospital and Monaghan Hospital operate as a single hospital, with an integrated managerial and clinical governance system, care pathways and support functions. Since 2020, the Government has allocated significant resources to improve services, enhance patient care and better meet the needs of patients using the hospital. There has been substantial investment in the hospital in recent years. The budget for the hospital has increased by 30% from €114 million in 2020 to €149 million at the start of this year.

At Monaghan Hospital, the number of beds has increased significantly since 2020 and there has been an increase of 70% in staffing. I absolutely agree with the Deputy in complimenting all of our hospital staff. They do an excellent job and we do appreciate the work they do. This is one of the largest increases in staff of all hospitals nationally over this period. Investment in the hospital has enabled a number of important service developments. A minor injury unit now operates 12 hours a day, seven days a week. I did hear what the Deputy said about the concerns regarding the injury unit. I will bring that back to the Minister. A frailty intervention therapy team and early supported discharge team have been put in place. These teams will help identify at-risk patients and will help ensure that patients get the right care in the community or at home where possible. At Monaghan Hospital, there is also ongoing development of pain services, haemochromatosis and an expansion of cardiology services. These improvements greatly enhance the supports provided to patients and their families and lead to better, more appropriate care, delivered in the right setting.

I am aware of recent news reports regarding bed allocation rates at the hospital, particularly in relation to the rehabilitation and step-down beds. The HSE has advised that bed occupancy rates vary from time to time due to factors such as infection prevention and control, building works and the criteria for patient admission. Figures from the HSE show that overall occupancy in these beds has been at 85% or higher over the past year. For rehabilitation beds, the average occupancy rates are 95% from January 2024 to present. The hospital fully recognises the importance of rehabilitation and step-down beds to patients and their families. The Deputy is right that it is about the patients and their families. These are a critical support in enabling patients who may have been treated in another hospital to recover further before being discharged home. Every effort is made to ensure that these beds are maximised while recognising that there can sometimes be factors which impact on the number of patients who can be cared for. We do see the challenges. I am glad the Deputy is highlighting them because we need to make sure we work on these challenges.

The HSE also recognises the importance of access to diagnostic services such as MRI and CT scanners. Referral to these radiology services is based on clinical need. The HSE has not made an application for CT or MRI facilities at Monaghan. However, Cavan and Monaghan Hospital has made an application to replace the existing MRI scanner located in Cavan. The project has been approved and works are expected to be completed by the end of this year. There has been significant investment and expansion at Monaghan Hospital and the Government continues to support the very high quality care being delivered to patients in the region.

See this speech in context