Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the discussions she has had with the Health Service Executive regarding the deployment and delivery of hospital services in the north-east region; if she will accede to the united call of the community of County Monaghan for the full restoration of services to Monaghan General Hospital including 24/7 medical and surgical cover; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6288/07]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans for the future development of Monaghan General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6220/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 190 together.

The HSE has established a Steering Group and a North East Project Group to oversee a programme designed to improve safety and standards across the acute hospital network in the North East Region, including Monaghan. The decision was taken having regard inter alia to the issues raised in the report prepared for the HSE by Teamwork Management Services — "Improving Safety and Achieving Better Standards — An Action Plan for Health Services in the North East".

In line with the Teamwork report, it is planned to have one major regional centre in the North East, supported by local hospitals and care centres at a number of locations, including Monaghan. The regional hospital will provide emergency and trauma services on a 24 hour basis. It will also provide planned specialist procedures that are complex and require the facilities of a large regional hospital. Local hospitals, including Monaghan, will provide services which meet the majority of patients needs including day and urgent care services.

Led by the HSE's National Hospitals Office, the Steering Group has representation from key stakeholders such as clinicians and primary care providers. The Project Group is being led by a Consultant Surgeon from outside the region. The process is being supported by ten Clinical Network Leads who have been tasked with overseeing the full range of planned care services to be provided at the local hospitals, including Monaghan.

The HSE has given me an assurance that, in progressing the re-organisation of services, there will be no discontinuation of existing services until suitable alternative arrangements have been put in place.