6 May 1999 Edition

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Concern over maternity and child healthcare at Monaghan Hospital

By Mícheál MacDonncha

     
  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

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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