Harmon demands publication of all HSE and Government correspondence on CUH CEO and staffing concerns
Harmon demands publication of all HSE and Government correspondence on CUH CEO and staffing concerns - The Labour Party
- As Health Minister attends Fine Gael Ard Fheis at UCC, Labour demands answers over alleged political interference and treatment of hospital chief executive
Labour Senator Laura Harmon has called on the HSE and Government to furnish all relevant information regarding the CUH debacle.
Senator Harmon said Government and the HSE must be fully transparent with the public as to what really happened as this story grows and grows.
Senator Laura Harmon said:
“There are serious questions remaining over political interference in the treatment of CUH CEO Jennifer Kearney.
“The Taoiseach this week appears to have provided misinformation on the floor of the Dail, and the Health Minister must address the concerns of the CUH CEO.
“There appears to be a culture of silencing those people who raise serious concerns about patient safety.
“This is no way to do business.
“It demands serious attention and an immediate explanation from the Minister for Health whose party’s Ard Fheis is taking place in Cork this weekend.
“CUH Chief Executive Jennifer Kearney raised serious concerns about staffing shortages and patient safety at Cork University Hospital. Those concerns deserved urgent attention and a constructive response from senior HSE management.
“We need a clear account from the HSE, from the Taoiseach, from the Minister for Health and from CUH as to whether or not there was a level of political interference in how the HSE regional boss Andy Philips communicated with CUH’s Jennifer Kearney.
“Honest, transparency, trust and accountability must now come to the fore. People’s stories are changing by the minute on what is a critical issue for the people of Cork.
“We need to see the publication of all the relevant information relating to this debacle to get to the heart of what happened here.
“Equally concerning is that the Taoiseach subsequently told the Dáil that his understanding was that no reference to instructions from his office had been made.
“The recording published by The Irish Times today establishes that such a reference was made. The public deserves to know how an incorrect account reached the Taoiseach and why it was repeated in the Dáil.
“The HSE must explain the circumstances of this meeting, including the references to performance management and whether the Chief Executive of CUH was subjected to inappropriate pressure after raising concerns about staffing and patient safety.
“The Taoiseach and Minister for Health must also clarify what information their offices received, when they received it and what steps were taken to establish the facts.
“Hospital leaders and healthcare professionals must be able to speak openly about patient safety concerns without fear of intimidation or professional repercussions.
“This controversy must not distract from the original issue: serious staffing concerns at Cork University Hospital and the need to ensure that patients and healthcare workers have the resources they need.
“We need accountability for what happened at that meeting, transparency about what was communicated to Government, and meaningful action on the staffing concerns raised by CUH management.
“Ultimately the staffing concerns at CUH have not been addressed and patient safety is at risk.”