'What we need to do is build upon the services that are there'

Step-down beds in Monaghan Hospital were used last winter to relieve pressure on bigger hospitals.

The average waiting time is one hour.

Diagnostic services were worst affected by the attack.

The change is precautionary.

The new beds were announced last year.

Staff are now working to retrospectively input patient data that had been manually recorded over the past few weeks.

The HSE says trials have been carried out.