Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Gallagher for his contribution. Monaghan hospital, serving the people of counties Monaghan and Cavan, has a reputation for the delivery of high quality, innovative and safe care to patients. Over the past ten years, the minor injury unit at Monaghan hospital has treated thousands of patients each year. The National Ambulance Service has established medical assessment pathways to allow patient referrals by National Ambulance Service paramedics to each of the existing seven model 2 hospital-based MAUs. The new programme piloted at Roscommon University Hospital is now being explored for roll-out to other hospitals including Cavan and Monaghan hospital. In summary, the minor injury unit at Monaghan hospital plays a vital role in providing valuable services to the local community and helps to alleviate the pressures on our emergency departments.