Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1728. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to meet representatives of the survivors of abuse by a person (details supplied) in relation to establishing an inquiry into the Lourdes Hospital and Fair Street Consulting Rooms in terms of the way that this abuse continued for so long; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42847/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe abuse of trust and attack on the dignity of patients referred to by the Deputy was a terrible betrayal.
The issues arising from the case were the subject of an independent review commissioned by the then North Eastern Health Board and chaired by Dr. Miriam Hederman O’Brien, which reported in 1995. Dr O’Brien’s report provided information on the chronology of events at the hospital, recommendations on the prevention of sexual abuse and on procedures for handling complaints. As a result of the recommendations in this report significant improvements were made by the HSE in its systems for preventing and dealing with allegations of sexual abuse in healthcare settings and there are clear practices and protocols to deal with these issues.
Following on from that, in October 2009, the then Minister for Health and Children announced the establishment of an independent non statutory review - the “Drogheda Review”, the purpose of which was to advise on whether a further investigation into the procedures and practices at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital (OLOL) Drogheda during the period 1964 to 1995 would be of significant public benefit in helping to improve best practice guidelines and policies. The review was carried out by retired High Court Judge T.C. Smyth.
Judge Smyth submitted his report to the then Minister in September 2010. The report recommended that a further investigation should not be held and that, in order to avoid prejudicing any civil or criminal cases, the report should not be published. The Attorney General concurred with this advice but agreed that a short summary of the report could be prepared and published. Accordingly, a short summary of the report was prepared and supplied to the patient support groups in January 2011.
There are ongoing proceedings relating to this consultant and for this reason, it is not appropriate for the Government to take any action, including the establishment of a statutory inquiry, that could in any way prejudice these proceedings. Recent legal advice received by my Department confirms that this remains the position.
As the position has not changed with regard to advice provided to me concerning the establishment of a statutory inquiry, I have no current plans to meet with representatives of the survivors of abuse.
The Government continues to support the work of the Dignity4Patients Support Group through funding provided by the HSE, which has been extended for a further three-year period, to end 2024.
