By Cliona Connolly

THE Monaghan General Hospital ‘scan’-dal has worsened this week as it has emerged that a CT Scanner intended for use in the hospital is gathering dust in rented storage on the Ballybay Road, costing the HSE €600 per week.

Monaghan residents were promised a CT Scanner for their local hospital as far back as 2004 by Minister Micheal Martin TD on his last day as Minister for Health. CT Scanners are used primarily in diagnostics and are crucial in the diagnosis of stroke victims.

“It’s typical promises made to be broken but the HSE plan for Monaghan does not include a CT scanner. Plans have to be changed and the scanner must be installed,” Hospital Alliance Chairman Peadar McMahon told the Post.

It has also emerged this week that Monaghan Hospital is struggling to cope with large numbers attending A&E which many feel demonstrates the need for expansion of this service.

However, the HSE are intending to reduce this service and compel people to travel to Cavan or Drogheda which have already been widely condemned as overcrowded and unable to cope.

Furthermore, another leaked HSE document, compiled by Hospital Network Manager for the NE Stephen Mulvany, obtained by the Post has this week confirmed HSE plans to reduce investment and to rely on existing resources as the primary source of investment in the North East.

“We are constantly being told by the HSE that these reforms are for patient safety and improved services but to ask Monaghan patients to sit on chairs in either Cavan or Drogehda A&E is to save money, is compromising patient safety and is certainly not a better service,” Mr McMahon added. 

A spokesperson for the HSE said “The CT Scanner is in storage, pending a decision about its future.”