15 February 2001 Edition
Maternity units to close after all?
Another emergency meeting of the North Eastern Health Board (NEHB) is scheduled for this morning (Thursday 15 February) after the CEO of the NEHB announced that insurers were still refusing cover on the maternity units at Louth and Monaghan County Hospitals.
Thousands of people protested at the NEHB's threat to close the units. In response to this outcry, the NEHB last week mandated the CEO, Paul Robinson, to appoint the four extra consultants needed to meet the stipulation of the College of Obstetricians and the insurers that each unit have three consultants.
``However no consultants have been appointed since,'' reports Sinn Féin Louth Councillor Arthur Morgan, ``and it appears that none of the three registrars, any and all of whom would be qualified to take these consultancy positions in Louth, have even been approached by the CEO.
``It has to be asked on whose agenda is the CEO working. It would appear that he is directly flouting the decision of the Board to appoint the necessary consultants. Did the CEO do this with the acquiescence of Minister Mícheál Martin, or does he have a separate, personal agenda?''
Thousands of people protested at the NEHB's threat to close the units. In response to this outcry, the NEHB last week mandated the CEO, Paul Robinson, to appoint the four extra consultants needed to meet the stipulation of the College of Obstetricians and the insurers that each unit have three consultants.
``However no consultants have been appointed since,'' reports Sinn Féin Louth Councillor Arthur Morgan, ``and it appears that none of the three registrars, any and all of whom would be qualified to take these consultancy positions in Louth, have even been approached by the CEO.
``It has to be asked on whose agenda is the CEO working. It would appear that he is directly flouting the decision of the Board to appoint the necessary consultants. Did the CEO do this with the acquiescence of Minister Mícheál Martin, or does he have a separate, personal agenda?''