Constructive meeting with Tallaght Hospital chief - Lenihan

Dublin South West Fianna Fáil TD and Minister of State Conor Lenihan has described his meeting this morning with the Chief Executive Designate of Tallaght Hospital as constructive.

Minister Lenihan met separately with the combined group of unions representing staff at the hospital and Professor Kevin Conlon to discuss the controversy surrounding the failure to have almost 58,000 x-rays reviewed by a Consultant Radiologist.

Speaking after the meeting the local TD said: “I am much reassured that the backlog of unexamined x-rays will be dealt with between now and May with few so far showing problems for patients.”

“It is now up to the HSE to investigate thoroughly the systems failure that occurred at Tallaght Hospital as such an investigation could prevent a similar problem at other hospitals around the country,” said Minister Lenihan.

“There are currently no unprocessed GP referral letters in Tallaght and it was never the case that there were 30,000 unopened letters,” added Minister Lenihan.

“The hospital must now move quickly to change its unwieldy management structure and the board must be down-sized in preparation for the arrival of the Coombe maternity services on site over the next 3 to 5 years.  Staff representatives must be full members of that new board,” concluded Deputy Lenihan.