Doctors have rejected a proposal from the North Eastern Health Board that could have seen full medical services and about 70 per cent of normal surgery restored at Monaghan Hospital.
The plan, outlined at a meeting between the board and consultants on Wednesday, suggested the hospital would provide elective surgery on a five-day basis. Emergency cases and major elective operations would be dealt with at Cavan Hospital.
The NEHB expressed surprise and disappointment at the doctors' rejection of the proposals.
Monaghan stopped accepting emergency admissions in July because of a shortage of qualified anaesthetists.
Last night, the NEHB said the current position was "totally unsatisfactory" but that it would continue to seek a resolution based on principles including the sustainability of services at the hospital and the recognition of its role within the "Cavan/Monaghan hospital group".