AMBULANCE SERVICE TO MONAGHAN INJURY UNIT COMMENCES

A new programme which will allow ambulances to bring suitable patients to the Minor Injury Unit at Monaghan Hospital for treatment came into effect on Monday last. The programme is an extension of one introduced recently at Roscommon University Hospital and allows patients to be brought to the unit in Monaghan under strict criteria. Its introduction has been welcomed by Fianna Fáil Senator for Cavan/Monaghan Robbie Gallagher, who recently raised the possibility of it applying in Monaghan with Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD. Senator Gallagher told the Northern Standard this week that the prompt for his call was the high volumes of patients presenting at the Emergency Department of Cavan Hospital, which led to the hospital appealing to the public to avoid ED treatment if at all possible.

“This brought into renewed focus the potential of the Minor Injury Unit in Monaghan to further relieve pressure on Cavan,” Senator Gallagher stated. “Monaghan MIU now operates a seven-days-a-week service from 8 am to 8 pm to treat a range of injuries in both adults and children over five years of age – and patients do not need an appointment or a GP referral. Many patients who present to an Emergency Department have non-urgent care needs that could be more appropriately treated through an Injury Unit.

“The National Ambulance Service (NAS) and Roscommon University Hospital (RUH) opened a new pathway to allow paramedics to bring patients to the most appropriate location for their treatment. This pathway will now come into operation in Cavan/Monaghan as well. “Patients that meet the agreed clinical criteria and live within the catchment area will be referred to Monaghan MIU instead of the Emergency Department when it is safe to do so.

‘The pathway will result in patients receiving medical treatment in a hospital closer to their home and, crucially, will release ambulances more quickly to respond to other emergency calls. “Any 112/999 patients that do not meet these clinical criteria will continue to be transported to Cavan Emergency Departments for assessment and treatment. Monaghan Minor Injury….