A review is currently ongoing to assess the resources that would be required to allow for check-ins at Monaghan Hospital’s Minor Injury Unit to be extended until 8pm.
Local TD, Matt Carthy received the news.
At present, while the Minor Injuries Unit is open until 8pm, however, check-ins can only be accepted until 7pm.
Deputy Carthy said he is aware of several service users who, unaware that the check-in time was different to opening hours, found themselves forced to travel to Cavan Emergency Department.
He is calling on the HSE to expedite the review to allow for check-in time to be extended until 8pm.
Speaking to Northern Sound, the TD highlighted that Monaghan’s Minor Injury Unit previously worked at the lowest opening hours in the state.
He said the difficulty is that people don’t realise the issue, until they arrive at the hospital.
Deputy Carthy said: "While the opening hours are until 8pm, check in closes at 7pm. For the last hour, it is impossible for people to present themselves if they haven't been there before 7pm.
"Many people don't realise that until they get there. A number of people who arrived shortly after 7pm, with the expectation that they would be treated at the minor injury unit, subsequently had to travel to Cavan Hospital to the emergency department, and we know the pressure that is on there.
"It's part of our overall demand that more services are provided at Monaghan Hospital, that we try and increase, and undo some of the damager that has been done," the TD added
