Minister Open To State Apology For Johnston Family But Pours Cold Water On Statutory Inquiry

Clare FM

Cold water has been poured on the prospect of a statutory inquiry into the death of Shannon Teenager Aoife Johnston at University Hospital Limerick. It follows a special meeting of the Oireachtas Health Committee this week, which confirmed the timeline for HIQA's impending review of Emergency Department capacity in the MidWest cannot be expedited. The bulk of the meeting was dedicated to issues arising at University Hospital Limerick and saw the MidWest HSE Regional Executive Officer, the Chief Nursing Officer and Health Minister all in attendance. Several TDs and Senators levelled criticism at the absence of the former Beaumont Hospital CEO, Ian Carter who has this week been appointed to lead day to day operations at Dooradoyle. Responding to Ennistymon Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway, Minister Stephen Donnelly confirmed the timeline for HIQA's MidWest ED report could not be expedited ahead of next Summer due to the workload involved. But not before tensions flared between the coalition colleagues over both party's respective handling of the health portfolio. The meeting was held just days after the solicitor for the family of Shannon Teenager Aoife Johnston called for a statutory inquiry to be held into the circumstances of her tragic death at University Hospital Limerick in December 2022. The Clarke Report published into her death last month was prohibited from resolving conflicting evidence provided by nurses and doctors on duty relating to the events of her death. Six people are currently facing a disciplinary process in relation to Aoife's death, in what's the largest action of its kind in the HSE's history. Responding to Meelick Fianna Fáil Deputy Cathal Crowe, Minister Donnelly insists the Johnston family will receive a state apology if desired, but says statutory inquiries could interfere with ongoing disciplinary procedures. The Department of Health's Chief Nursing Officer also addressed concerns over safe staffing levels at UHL. It comes amid reports from the INMO that 2,000 nursing and midwifery posts remain unfilled nationwide, amid claims 200 vacancies exist at UHL. Responding to Kilrush Independent Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne, CNO Rachel Kenna says an over-reliance on agency staff at Dooradoyle has led to unsafe situations. Issues relating to the disproportionate cancellations of scheduled care at Ennis General Hospital were also raised with Ennis Hospital seeing more deferrals of day case surgeries than any other facility in the MidWest. Health campaigners have since voiced concern that not only were vital appointments postponed, but that skilled consultants were also left idle, while the county hospital was deployed for it's overflow beds. HSE MidWest REO Sandra Broderick has pledged to investigate the matter.