Matt Carthy
Question:21. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if he will liaise with the RCSI Hospitals Group to deliver MRI and CT scanners at Monaghan hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39364/24]
View answerThursday, 3 October 2024
Questions (21)
Written answers
As Minister for Health, I am committed to the ongoing development of regional hospitals, including Cavan & Monaghan Hospital. This Government has allocated significant resources in order to meet the needs of patients using the hospital:
• The budget for Monaghan Hospital has increased from €11m in 2021 to €14m in 2024, an increase of 27%.
• Staffing has increased by 70%, from 102 in 2020 to 174 in 2024.
• Under our bed expansion plan, a total of 97 beds will be delivered at Cavan and Monaghan Hospital by 2028. This includes 23 beds between 2021-2024 and 74 beds between 2025-2028.
The HSE has advised that clear clinical pathways already exist for access to MRI and CT scans. Cavan & Monaghan Hospital currently has two operating CT scanners and one MRI scanner. No service requirement has been identified for additional scanners to be installed at Cavan & Monaghan Hospital.
All capital projects in the HSE have to progress through the different stages of the Infrastructure Guidelines, which at the initial stage require a detailed business case including service requirements to be developed by the hospital delivering a service, ensuring value for money is achieved. At this time, Cavan & Monaghan Hospital has not submitted a business case for additional CT or MRI capacity.