Greens urge end to 'consultants as gods' culture

There is still a culture in Ireland "of consultants being viewed as gods, somewhat like priests in the 1950s", Green Party leader Trevor Sargent told the Dáil following the publication of the Drogheda hospital report.

He said that "many nurses are living in deference, if not fear, of consultants", and there was a need to deal with that.

He also called for a criminal investigation into the disappearance of the files of 44 women on whom hysterectomies had been performed. "We do not just have a scandal, we have a cover-up. That is fundamental," he said.

He said it was a "terrible reflection on the State that it took a midwife who had been trained outside the State to blow the whistle on this saga of trauma and malpractice".

The Dublin North TD said it was "obvious we need legislation on whistleblowers", and said it was "shocking and bizarre that 20 times the national average of Caesarean peripartum hysterectomies continued to be performed in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for 25 years before any professional raised a concern".

He added: "We have victims who have suffered horrific injustice, who have a deep emotional hurt where they should have a womb."

Mr Sargent called for a redress board to be established.

Tánaiste Mary Harney had apologised to victims and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said: "I repeat on behalf of the Government that we are all very sorry. We deeply regret and are equally appalled at the contents of this report."

He said the Tánaiste would today discuss the issue with Patient Focus, the group affected. He said the report's findings and recommendations would be dealt with and would be "of considerable benefit in terms of informing the approach being taken in the preparation of the Medical Practitioners Bill", which was well advanced.

The Taoiseach said it would also help on the health information equality authority "and in the current consultant contracts negotiations".

Mr Ahern pointed out that "while over the last number of years they have been acted upon and thoroughly investigated, now we have the complete recommendations and findings".

"Now that we have this report, we will be able to deal with these issues and to move on as quickly as possible," he said.