A MEETING to discuss recommendations for major changes to the governance structure of Tallaght hospital is due to be held today.
The changes sought – and supported by Minister for Health James Reilly – include the replacement of the hospital charter with a new framework.
It is understood the recommendations may also involve the appointment of a smaller board.
In a statement last night, the hospital said the changes recommended by the board were being considered by the three constituent foundations of the hospital which came together at the Tallaght site in 1998 – the former Adelaide, Meath and National Children’s hospitals. The three foundations have agreed to report back to the hospital board at a meeting this afternoon.
“The hospital board have recommended fundamental change to its governance structure,” the statement said. “This includes replacing the charter by a new framework which will ensure contemporary governance while retaining the hospital’s voluntary status.”
On the hospital’s deficit, running at €11.2 million, the statement said the hospital board had approved a financial recovery plan which had been agreed with the HSE.
“The hospital will continue to work closely with the HSE and the Department of Health to monitor expenditure,” it said.
Primary elements of the recovery plan included operational efficiencies, expenditure reduction and controls, maximising income and collaboration with other hospitals.
Dr Reilly has said repeatedly that hospitals must operate within their existing budgets.
In August, following an investigation of the emergency department, the Health Information and Quality Authority directed the hospital to stop placing patients on trolleys in corridors near its emergency department while awaiting a bed as the practice posed an unacceptable and serious risk to patients.
The investigation was launched in June, a week after the Dublin city coroner said the hospital sounded like a “very dangerous place to be” after an elderly patient died while awaiting treatment on a trolley in a corridor.