Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 103: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will report on the progress to date in 2005 on delivery of the commitments made on 29 September 2004, regarding the development of Monaghan General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28889/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I wish to offer my deepest sympathies to the family of the late Mr. Patrick Walsh, RIP, who died tragically at Monaghan General Hospital last Friday. This should not have happened. I have now been informed that there was an intensive care bed vacant in Cavan General Hospital when Mr. Walsh needed to be transferred. The circumstances surrounding this tragedy require thorough investigation.

Mr. Patrick Declan Carey, a consultant surgeon at Belfast City Hospital, and an honorary senior lecturer at Queens University, will carry out an independent and external review of the circumstances surrounding Mr. Walsh's death. This review will be completed and a report issued within an eight week timeframe. I look forward to this review answering all the questions around this tragic case as a matter of urgent public interest.

With regard to the Deputy's specific question, the current position regarding services at Monaghan General Hospital is as follows. Monaghan General Hospital went back on call for medical emergencies in January 2005 and five NCHDs were recruited to facilitate the return of the hospital to medical on-call. A larger treatment room is to be opened on a 24 hour, seven day basis. A capital grant of €750,000 was provided to upgrade the treatment room facilities at the hospital. Construction work commenced in October 2004 and was completed recently. The development consists of a two bay resuscitation facility, two clinical examination rooms and two minor injuries rooms with associated ancillary accommodation. The HSE has advised that it is currently working to ensure that this expanded facility is available as soon as possible. In this regard, the executive will be working with all relevant stakeholders regarding referral protocols.

With regard to provision of a CT scanner, a regional procurement group has been set up within the HSE north eastern area to examine the provision of CT services within the north east and it is expected to issue its report in the near future. Three surgical posts are to be provided for the joint department of surgery, Cavan-Monaghan. Interviews were held for these posts and contracts have been issued to the three successful candidates. Selective elective surgery is being provided at Monaghan General Hospital consistent with the recommendations of the steering group report on the joint department of surgery. The scope of this service is expected to increase when the full surgical team is in place.