Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has had discussions with the Health Service Executive in relation to the future of Navan, Dundalk and Monaghan Hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41901/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The transformation programme for the North East region is designed to build a health system that is in line with the model of care emerging internationally.

The implementation of this programme is continuing and Navan, Dundalk and Monaghan Hospitals continue to play an important and expanding role in the provision of health services in the North East region, with a particular focus on diagnostic and day services. I am pleased to outline the services that exist in each of these three hospitals.

A minor injuries unit and additional ambulance services have been put in place in Dundalk to support this plan. Gynaecology, medical and surgical day services, stroke rehabilitation, radiology and step down services remain in the hospital. In addition, an elderly day assessment service has transferred to Dundalk. Project teams have also been established to progress with development of plans for both the orthopaedic rehabilitation and medical palliative inpatient beds in the hospital.

Acting on the advice of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland the HSE ceased all acute and emergency surgery at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan on 1 September 2010. The transfer of this surgery was always a long-term objective of the North East Transformation Plan. Minor elective surgery (i.e. requiring local anaesthetic only) and endoscopy services are situated in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. It is still also the regional centre for elective orthopaedic surgery.

Services at Monaghan Hospital include surgical and medical day services, rehabilitation and step-down services, a Minor Injury Unit and X-ray Diagnostics. Orthopaedics, Diagnostic urology, Obstetric and Gynaecological outpatient clinics also take place in the hospital.

A Cross Border Ear, Nose and Throat Service, which is based in Monaghan hospital and consists of out patient clinics and day procedures, was enhanced in April 2010 to include a second consultant who is performing sinus day surgery. Furthermore a CT scanner is now operational in the hospital. It will also facilitate patients being referred from out patient clinics from Cavan and Monaghan Hospital sites and will enable local access for patients from Co Monaghan.

The development of the above services demonstrates the Government's commitment to the future of Monaghan, Dundalk and Navan Hospitals. Patient safety is central to the delivery of health services. People must have confidence in the care they receive and have the best possible outcomes. All decisions regarding the operation of health services will be taken with patient safety as the priority.