The President of the Royal College of Surgeons has warned that urgent action is needed to safeguard the future of Cavan General as an acute hospital.
Speaking to RTÉ News, Professor Niall O'Higgins said that there is much good work and excellent staff in the hospital but said that they needed support.
Following their recent visit to the hospital, the RCSI has made 22 recommendations to secure the hospital's future.
The recommendations include the appointment of three surgeons to work in the surgical unit, the ringfencing of beds for surgical patients and additional resources. These are 'cardinal' to safeguarding the future of the hospital, according to Prof Higgins.
He said that, because of problems with beds and staff, the level of surgery is declining, morale is low and the situation 'is somewhat hazardous'. There is potential danger in the unit because surgical activity is very low, Prof Higgins added.
The report, which has been sent to the Health Services Executive and the Department of Health, describes the unit as 'dysfunctional'.
Prof Higgins said what is meant by this is that the level of surgical activity is unsustainable and cannot continue its 'downward spiral'.
The unit became the subject of controversy last February following the death of nine-year-old Frances Sheridan following an appendix operation.
Speaking to RTÉ News, the family of Frances Sheridan said tonight they were concerned that many recommendations outlined in reports both prior and subsequent to their daughter's death do not appear to have been implemented.
A senior doctor at the hospital has rejected the findings.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio, Dr Alan Finan, the Secretary of the hospital's Medical Board, welcomed most of the RCSI report but said problems in the unit were being addressed.
