A report by a management consultant appointed to examine structures at Monaghan hospital following the death of baby Bronagh Livingstone has recommended that a midwifery-led maternity unit be provided at the hospital at a cost of €3.85 million.
The report by Mr Kevin Bonnar, appointed by the Minister for Health Mr Martin to implement the recommendations of an inquiry into the events last December, was published this afternoon.The Minister for Health, Mr Martin, said he accepted the report's main recommendations and that he would develop the programme of capital investment into the hospital to allow it address "urgent needs" for equipment, refurbishment and health and safety measures.
The baby's mother, Ms Denise Livingstone, presented at Monaghan Hospital in an advanced stage of premature labour. Ms Livingstone was put in an ambulance for transfer to Cavan General Hospital. The baby was born en route but died shortly after arriving at Cavan hospital.
A decision had previously been made by the health authorities to wind down maternity services in Monaghan, a move which attracted considerable anger and opposition in the local community. An independent candidate was elected to the Dail in May of last year on the basis of a campaign on the Monaghan hospital issue.
An independent review panel made 14 recommendations following Bronagh Livingstone's death. It also said the baby should have been delivered at Monaghan Hospital. The hospital's maternity unit was closed over two years ago.
In the report published today, Mr Bonnar says the provision of a midwifery-led maternity unit would restore "much confidence to the community and will be of enormous benefit to staff morale at the hospital".
He added: "There is a requirement that the midwife-led units planned for both Drogheda and Cavan come into operation as soon as possible in order that their working can be evaluated prior to the opening of similar units at Dundalk and Monaghan. The building of new facilities at Monaghan will be required to facilitate this development."
In a statement, the Minister for Health Mr Martin said he was pleased to accept the main recommendation of the Bonnar report that Monaghan hospital should continue to play a "vital role" in the delivery of acute hospital services to the local community within the Cavan/Monaghan hospital group.
He said he also accepted that additional services can be provided at the hospital to the benefit of the local community.
Mr Martin said Mr Bonnar's proposals to strengthen the management capacity of the hospital and the central involvement of consultants within this structure were "very significant".
In accordance with the report's recommendations, Mr Martin said he had decided to develop the programme of capital investment in Monaghan hospital and that he intended to make funding available under the National Development Plan which would allow it to address "urgent needs".
Mr Bonnar, a former secretary general of the Department of Enterprise and Employment, was appointed by the Minister to implement the findings of a review after Bronagh's death.