Independent Investigation Not Enough To Restore Public Confidence In Health System

Councillor Madeleine Taylor Quinn said that only corrective action in areas of deficiencies would help restore that confidence, which she said had been ‘shattered’ by the hospital’s alleged failure to diagnose breast cancer in the cases of at least two women who have since died from the disease.

The Mayor said that an investigation into the specific cases of misdiagnoses was absolutely essential. She added that the families of the patients deserved and were entitled to the full facts of what went wrong.

Mayor Taylor-Quinn stressed that the Health Information & Quality Authority’s (HIQA) review of services at Ennis General Hospital must take account of recent history.

She explained, ‘Will the HSE, its predecessor the Health Board, and the Department of Health and Children firstly acknowledge their negligence in lack of support for the hospital over the last 20 years when forty beds were withdrawn from the hospital? Secondly, will they acknowledge that for that period of time they have continuously downgraded Ennis General Hospital by stealth?’

‘Thirdly’ she continued, ‘will they accept that had they responded positively to the repeated concerns raised by the Hospital Action Committee and public representatives that the cases of misdiagnoses may not have occurred at Ennis General Hospital?’

Mayor Taylor-Quinn said that the terms of reference of the investigation must include treatment at Limerick Regional Hospital where Clare patients are regularly referred from Ennis General Hospital.

‘The HSE stands culpable in this instance, and it should admit its mismanagement of the health service. I call on the HSE to now redress the wrongs done and make proper investment in services at Ennis General Hospital and employ the required number of medical professional experts to deliver a reliable health service to the people of County Clare’, concluded the Mayor.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- Mayor of Clare Councillor Madeleine Taylor Quinn (087-2402341) is available for interview
- For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900