'Shocking indictment' on how hospital was run, says Patient Focus

The Lourdes hospital inquiry report is a "shocking indictment" on the "appalling and horrific" way the hospital was run, the victims' group Patient Focus said yesterday.

Sheila O'Connor, Patient Focus chairwoman, said the hospital's maternity unit was "a danger to women's health" yet no one did anything for over 20 years.

"There were rumours, innuendo, rumbles. All of those at every stage were either killed off or ignored.

"It's a disgrace, an absolutely shocking indictment of the way Irish hospitals are run, of the way doctors can get completely out of order and take over, run the show, be answerable to no one and dictate everything."

Colm McGeehan, solicitor for Patient Focus, said patients were let down by the State and by hospital staff such as anaesthetists and midwives.

While Tánaiste Mary Harney said the issue of compensation did not arise at this stage, Patient Focus said it would be discussing a compensation package with Ms Harney when they meet her today.

Patient Focus has also called for women who were excluded from the terms of this inquiry to be included in any future inquiry or redress board set up by the Government.

The Medical Council said yesterday that it would be meeting as soon as possible to discuss the report's findings.

Dr John Hillery, Medical Council president said he was "disturbed and horrified" by Dr Neary's actions.

"The Medical Council regrets that a member of the medical profession could have inflicted such damage and heartache on his patients," he said. Dr Hillery said the report highlighted the need for new legislation for the regulation of doctors and he urged Ms Harney to publish her proposed Medical Practitioners Bill as soon as possible.

The Irish Hospital Consultants' Association expressed its sympathy to families hurt by the events.

"We profoundly hope that the lessons coming from this are taken on board by everyone," said Finbarr Fitzpatrick, IHCA secretary general.

"The public can be assured that hospital consultants have learned from these tragic events."

He expressed concern at the report's finding that patient files were removed from the hospital and said this was "a deliberate criminal act".

The Health Service Executive and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital also issued a personal apology to Dr Neary's patients and said steps had already been taken to improve hospital care.

The HSE said it was committed to examining all aspects of the report and to implementing its recommendations.

"The hospital intends to ensure that the events outlined in this report will not recur, by fully implementing any recommendations that are outstanding," a spokeswoman said.

"Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital has been working in anticipation of the report's findings, and already much ground has been covered in implementing reforms and developments at the hospital."