Concern over maternity and child healthcare at Monaghan Hospital
By Mícheál MacDonncha
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Monaghan General Hospital is one of very few in the country that
does not offer a 24-hour, seven-day epidural anaesthesia service to
mothers in labour. This service must be available as a right and on
request.
- Caoimhghín O Caoláin
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Concern has been expressed for the future of the maternity and child
healthcare services at Monaghan General Hospital. Following on from
his call for special attention to the maternity and child healthcare
services at a meeting between the North Eastern Health Board and
Monaghan County Council last month, Deputy Caoimhghín O Caolán has
this week detailed his concerns. He says there is an acute need for a
second obstetrician/gynaecologist and for a paediatrician in the
hospital.
``There are widespread concerns, doubts, and fears for the future of
the maternity and child healthcare services'' says the Sinn Féin TD.
He pointed out that the issue of the retention of Monaghan Hospital,
once under threat and the subject of a major campaign that culminated
in a successful court action by the Monaghan General Hospital
Retention Committee, is not now an issue. That court case determined
that the North Eastern Health Board is the responsible body for
Monaghan General Hospital and its services and not the Minister for
Health. Caoláin says: ``The issue now is whether or not the Health
Board is committed to the future of maternity and child healthcare
services at Monaghan General.
``The appointment of a consultant obstetrician/gynaecologist to
augment the existing service provided by a single obstetrician in
each of the Cavan and Monaghan hospitals was, at the time, a welcome
development. However, the Monaghan hospital has been left without
that appointee's services.
``A second obstetrician/gynaecologist must be appointed at Monaghan
General Hospital. The NEHB must press the case for this appointment
now. I do not accept the arguments concerning confinement numbers.
The facts regarding the gynaecology needs at Monaghan Hospital show
clearly that this is an area of ever-increasing demand.
``We have no paediatrician in situ at Monaghan General. An out-patient
service is provided from the Cavan hospital. The very important
maternity section in Monaghan is therefore without the services of a
paediatrician, even though a second paediatrician has been appointed
to the Health Board designated Cavan/Monaghan Group. A fully
qualified paediatrician is an absolute requirement at the Monaghan
hospital.
``Monaghan General Hospital is one of very few in the country that
does not offer a 24-hour, seven-day epidural anaesthesia service to
mothers in labour. This service must be available as a right and on
request.
``I have spoken to health professionals, to mothers, to mothers-to-be
and others in our community and beyond, regarding their and my
concerns. Many have lost faith. Birth numbers have dropped, yet our
population has not only stabilised but has recorded marginal growth.
``We are not prepared to wait and see any longer. I demand as a member
of this community and as an elected voice of the people of these
counties that we see in place these essential services for mother and
child. We need them now.
``Let me emphasise that this is not a case of Cavan versus Monaghan.
It is about parity of esteem and equality of treatment for all users
of our health services. I want to see the development of maximum
services at Cavan General Hospital and the provision of best care and
supports at Monaghan General Hospital. The maternity and child
healthcare areas rank among the most important of these.''
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