The former chief executive of Galway Hospice lodged a bullying complaint against the hospice's clinical director three years ago, which has still not been ruled upon.
Mary Derrig, who served as chief executive for four years, told The Irish Times yesterday that she resigned from her job in mid-2002 because the situation had become untenable. She filed her complaint in February 2002 but has received no decision from the Health Service Executive (HSE), West.
A nurse at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, who also lodged a complaint against the clinical director three years ago, is waiting for a finding from HSE West.
The HSE West said this week a report into alleged bullying claims was being written.
In her first public comment on her case, Ms Derrig called for a speedy inquiry into the allegations of bullying lodged by 22 of 26 nursing staff at the hospice against the clinical director.
"I would not like to think that it would take over three years to investigate and rule on these complaints," Ms Derrig said.
The nine-page report by the 22 nursing staff dated March 4th, 2005 was forwarded by the hospice's legal representatives to HSE West.
A copy was also given to the Irish Nurses' Organisation which represents most nursing staff at the unit.
In a joint statement issued last night, Galway Hospice Foundation and HSE West said they had a shared commitment to ensuring the continuation of all services but made no comment on the bullying allegations.
A spokesman for the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, said her Department was "aware" of the situation but the matter was one for the HSE.
The hospice was closed to new admissions in May 2003 following concerns expressed by clinical director Dr Dympna Waldron over medication issues.
An independent review published in March 2004 found four of 15 cases involving maladministration of drugs to patients involved emergency intervention, and patients were "harmed" in five cases. No patient died as a result of the errors reported during January 2002 to May 2003.
The review recommended a series of protocols which have been put into place. Admissions resumed last August, and HSE West gave an undertaking to seek a locum who would work alongside Dr Waldron, as the hospice is a consultant-led service.
Sources have confirmed that several medical, nursing and support staff had left due to "inter-personal issues" relating to the clinical director.
The Irish Hospital Consultant's Association (IHCA) said on Wednesday that Dr Waldron would make no comment.