Madam, - In response to recent news reports, correspondence and comment about Monaghan Hospital, I want to make it clear that it is no longer possible to safely provide on a sustainable basis 24-hour emergency on-call general surgical and trauma services there. No amount of protest can change this reality. This statement is based on professional medical considerations, not on political, economic or other factors. In this instance the medical imperatives must prevail.
Safe quality care and the best interests of patients are the only matters that count.
It is unreasonable for local community, professional, and political leaders to suggest that it is possible to return to the status quo ante. The medical and professional regulatory authorities have properly responded to very significant changes in the healthcare environment in recent years. Patients are entitled to expect that their care will be of an appropriate standard and be evidence-based. Such care should only be delivered from units where these standards apply. The physical infrastructure and facilities on-site as well as equipment and personnel resources are all vital components in maintaining proper standards. Where the interest of securing quality of care and the safety of patients require that there be only a certain number of hospitals offering an acute emergency service, the requirements of quality and safety should outweigh considerations of ease of access.
All our energies should now to be focused on re-establishing a viable, appropriate acute hospital service in Monaghan. There is widespread institutional professional support for such a service, which would have a secure and significant future as an integral part of the delivery of acute hospital services in the whole North-East region. In this context all the understandable and legitimate concerns currently being voiced by the local community will be addressed. - Yours, etc.,
F. LENNON, Medical Advisor to North-Eastern Health Board Management, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Co Louth.