Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, to the House. I would like to discuss the ongoing overcrowding in accident and emergency departments and the potential role of smaller hospitals, such as Monaghan Hospital, in alleviating the current problem. To put it mildly, it is very unsatisfactory to see thousands of citizens, most of them elderly, lying on hospital trolleys. We need new, imaginative thinking to address this.

I noted the recent comments of Professor John Hyland, the president of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland. He said the normal response when the number on trolleys increases is to cancel elective and non-urgent surgery. This is heartbreaking for those waiting on that surgery because many have been waiting for years. Many are elderly and many are in pain. They build themselves up for the procedure only to be told it will not go ahead. We make the decision to cancel elective surgery lightly but we sometimes fail to think about the consequences of such decisions. Therefore, we need new thinking if we are to address this. It is important that we concentrate on the role that small hospitals, such as that in Monaghan, could play in relieving the pressure in our major hospitals.

Monaghan Hospital had its services stripped. It was one of the first hospitals in the country to receive such treatment. There has been a follow-on in that other hospitals have had their services removed. In the case of Monaghan, however, a sledge-hammer was used in that too many services were stripped from it. People realise that we cannot have major trauma surgery and other serious surgery taking place in a small hospital such as that in Monaghan but statistics indicate that 85% of people who present at accident and emergency departments could easily be treated elsewhere. Therefore, the time has come for new thinking.

I welcome the fact that the Minister of State is new to the job. He brings common sense to the role. It is time that we re-examined the smaller hospitals from which services have been removed. Monaghan Hospital is a prime example.

The current circumstances, whereby people are lying on trolleys for days on end, are very unfair. Yesterday, the number was the second highest ever. We need new thinking, as I stated. What is being done to the people involved, most of whom are elderly, is heartless. It is very unfair on the staff who are completely stressed because of their workload. I would like the Minister of State or the Minister to visit Monaghan to ascertain what services or potential exists within the hospital. There is a feeling that Monaghan Hospital could play a greater role in helping to relieve the current pressure in major hospitals.

Monaghan Hospital currently has a minor injuries unit. Before it was taken off call, it was a brand-new facility. It has considerable potential. We feel that Monaghan could be doing much more, especially at the medical end, to relieve the pressure on the major accident and emergency departments in Cavan and Drogheda.

There is a state-of-the-art theatre in Monaghan. Many thousands of euro were spent on it before it was taken off call. The theatre is totally underutilised. Professor Hyland made the point that when elective surgery is cancelled when the trolley numbers increase, hospitals that do not have accident and emergency departments, such as that in Monaghan, could have a role to play, rather than cancelling surgery. Beds could be ring-fenced so people awaiting non-emergency procedures could be dealt with in hospitals such as Monaghan Hospital. The pressure would be taken off accident and emergency departments as a result.

I would like the Minister of State to visit Monaghan and see the facility for himself. He should determine the potential that exists in order that Monaghan Hospital, along with other smaller hospitals, could play a role in ending the heartbreaking circumstances whereby people, mostly elderly, are lying on trolleys.