The people of Monaghan plan to hold another major rally this week in protest at what they describe as further plans to downgrade their hospital.
A steering group set up by the North Eastern Health Board, which runs Monaghan General Hospital, has been examining which surgical services should be provided at the hospital since April and is expected to report later this week. It is likely to recommend, in line with a directive from the health board's chief executive Mr Paul Robinson, that only day surgery be provided.
At present there are three surgeons in Monaghan providing both minor and intermediate surgery and, according to Mr Peadar McMahon, chairman of the local hospital action group, the County Monaghan Community Alliance, this situation must continue.
Mr McMahon says he has no difficulty with a joint department of surgery between Cavan and Monaghan, which the steering group has been looking at, or with major surgery being carried out in Cavan, as long as intermediate and minor surgery is carried out in Monaghan as well.
He fears this will not happen given the directive issued to the steering group by Mr Robinson.
It directed that: "Major elective and emergency surgical services for the hospital group will be provided at Cavan or at other hospitals as appropriate. A protocol-driven day surgery service will be provided at Monaghan".
The steering group was meant to report by the end of May, but its deadline was then extended.
Mr McMahon said this weeks protest, which takes place on Thursday in Monaghan town at 6 p.m., was "to let the authorities know we are still not giving in. We are still very active and still have the support of the people behind us". There are tentative plans to march on the Dáil if their concerns are not heeded, he said.
The surgical department at Cavan has been at the centre of controversy for over a year since two of its three permanent surgeons were suspended over "interpersonal difficulties". Since then there have been several adverse clinical incidents. Following a review it was decided that major surgery should be transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.