Several thousand people took part in a protest in Dublin today against the downgrading of Monaghan General Hospital.
Surgery at the hospital was cancelled earlier this month by the North Eastern Health Board citing the lack of availability of anesthetists.
A local alliance which is protesting against the reduction of services organised today's march from the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square to the Department of Health on Burgh Quay where a letter of protest addressed to the Minister of Health Mr Martin, was handed over to department officials.
The letter called on the Minister to ensure the implementation of the framework document adopted by the North Eastern Health Board in June 1998 for the development of acute services at the hospital. The document stated the plan "would bring Monaghan up to the required standard of a modern hospital," and that funding was to be made available through the IR£80 million received under the National Development Plan.
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Protesters threatened further action if services at Monaghan General Hospital were not fully restored
Photograph: Éanna Ó Caollaí |
Alliance chairman Mr Peadar McMahon called on the Minister for Health to honour his commitment to the Programme for National Development and to restore to Monaghan the General Hospital and its services.
Speaking before a crowd of at least two thousand protesters, Mr McMahon called on Mr Martin to intervene and stop ignoring the people of Monaghan". He said the people of Monaghan "deserved and demanded" a hospital to serve their needs.
Several speakers, to great applause, cited the difficulties the reduction of services posed to those in the Monaghan area and condemned the Government's attitude to the problem, stating they would not accept the "downgrading" of the hospital.
Representatives attending the march included Sinn Féin's Mr Caoimhín Ó Caoláin, representatives of the ICA, the GAA, SIPTU, Macra na Feirme and other groups.
Earlier this month, patients were turned away from Monaghan Hospital after turning up for surgery. The North Eastern Health Board said at the time it had a problem recruiting EU-registered hospital staff and consultants.
In addition, they said they faced the difficulty of meeting the requirements of the Irish Medical Council and the College of Anaesthetists. These bodies have to be satisfied hospitals provide doctors with approved training and are provided with an adequate training programme.
Calling on Mr Martín to intervene "before it is too late" the Alliance said the people of Monaghan intended to continue with the campaign until "such time as a satisfactory solution is reached".
