Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 598: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene to halt the Health Service Executive plan to end acute inpatient care at Monaghan General Hospital by the end of November 2008, closing Monaghan's 50 inpatient beds, its six critical care beds and transferring all inpatient and critical care to Cavan General Hospital without increasing bed numbers in Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31176/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Teamwork Report, prepared for the Health Service Executive (HSE), clearly indicated that the service configuration in the North East region was unsustainable. It recommended a reconfiguration of hospital services across the existing five hospital sites in order to ensure the highest level of patient safety. The Report also identified a significant future role for all five hospital sites in the provision of acute hospital services.

The Report has helped to inform the approach being adopted by the HSE in implementing its Transformation Programme. The Programme involves widespread and fundamental change and is designed to build a health system that is in line with the model of care emerging internationally. The overriding aim, which I fully support, is the need to improve safety and achieve better standards of care for patients in the region.

As part of the reconfiguration of acute hospital services in the North East the HSE is planning to transfer acute inpatient services from Monaghan to Cavan. The transfer is scheduled to take place later this year. The HSE is working to ensure that the necessary capacity is in place prior to or in parallel with the transfer date in order to ensure a smooth transition.

For example a Medical Assessment Unit is being established at Cavan to help manage the anticipated increase in activity. The average length of stay for inpatients is to be reduced in line with best practice. The discharge planning process will also be improved. Alternatives to acute inpatient care will be required through the planned provision of additional packages of care in the Cavan/Monaghan community care area together with an increase in capacity at Monaghan. Enhancements in pre-hospital care in the Cavan/Monaghan area will also be required.