Madam, - I read the article by Paul Robinson, CEO of the North Eastern Health Board (Opinion, December 17th), with increasing disbelief.
Nowhere in the article does Mr Robinson express any sympathy or condolences to the family of Bronagh Livingstone. He may be "currently unable to comment on" her "sad and tragic death", but surely an expression of sympathy would have been possible.
Mr. Robinson then attempts to shift the blame for the lack of maternity services at Monaghan General onto a sub-committee of Comhairle na nOspideal, a group which could easily have met while the maternity services were being maintained as had been approved by the Health Board and the Department for Health and Children. If baby Bronagh's death is in some part due to a committee's lack of urgency in reaching a decision, then this is a very sad day for healthcare of the people of Ireland.
I am very aware that the maternity and special care baby unit at Cavan General Hospital is able to cope with the extra workload from Monaghan, but the health board can take little if any credit for this as it is largely due to the professionalism, care, and willingness of the nurses in those units.
It is not satisfactory for a detailed protocol for emergencies to be in place which is "effective in dealing with a number of such incidents" at Monaghan. If it is not effective for all such incidents then it is simply not working. When there are avoidable deaths it is plainly the case that the protocol is not effective. - Yours, etc.,
Rev IAN BERRY,
Clones Road,
Monaghan.