New Monaghan Hospital unit to incorporate dentistry

A seven-day, 12-hour minor injury unit will replace the 24-hour treatment room at Monaghan Hospital from 22 July 2009. Under the new arrangements Monaghan Hospital will be able to provide dental services.

From 22 July there will be no further emergency services provided in Monaghan Hospital and there will be no medical admissions or inpatient acute medical care. All emergency and complex care for Cavan and Monaghan will be provided in Cavan General Hospital.

The HSE has confirmed that the new arrangements are based on the significant body of international and national evidence that indicates that acute complex healthcare, particularly for emergency medicine, surgical services and critical care services, should be provided in high volume hospitals in order to maximise clinical outcomes and ensure safe services.

The Executive stressed that as part of the Cavan/Monaghan Hospital Group, Monaghan Hospital will continue to play an important and expanding role in terms of the general provision of non acute health services to the people of Cavan and Monaghan.

Dr James Hayes, Clinical Director Cavan & Monaghan Hospital Group said: ‘This is about patients receiving the right care, in the right place, at the right time. The objective of these changes is to provide the highest quality care to patients and ensuring that those who require complex care can get access to it as quickly and as safely as possible.’

As part of the public information campaign, an information leaflet on the general reconfiguration of services has been delivered to households in Cavan and Monaghan. The HSE will also issue an information leaflet to all households in Monaghan to advise them of the minor injury unit. Adverts will be placed in local media in the coming weeks to remind the public of the new arrangements.