Calls For Hiqa To Look Into Incident At Clontarf Hospital

People Before Profit Cllr John Lyons has called on HIQA to look into a serious incident of patient self-harm and staffing issues at Clontarf Hospital.

The Dáil Health Committee has been also asked to call in senior managers at Clontarf Hospital to answer concerns over incidents at the hospital. Brid Smith TD has tabled a number of Parliamentary questions to the Minister for Health and separately written to the chair of the health committee seeking support for a HIQA inquiry (see notes).

There was a serious incident of self-harm involving a patient with a serious psychiatric illness at the hospital. Staff involved in the incident has alleged that management subsequently threatened them with disciplinary action if statements they made were not altered to remove references to their concerns over staffing levels and training for dealing with patients with such psychiatric conditions.

Councillor John Lyons said that staff at the hospital had contacted him with concerns over the incident and subsequent management actions. “Aside from the seriousness of this incident itself, staff have many concerns with how management acted afterwards and with the ongoing culture at the hospital that has seen a huge turnover of staff in recent years.

“It is important that the public can be reassured about the treatment of vulnerable patients at the facility and that staff concerns are treated with respect, dignity and given due consideration”.

He went on to support Deputy Smith’s call for the health committee to ask management at the Hospital to attend a committee hearing and answer these concerns.

“There is also a role for HIQA to look into this and to reassure people that Clontarf has the ability and staff to treat patients with psychiatric illnesses and that their staff are able to work in an environment that is supportive.”

Notes; copy of  Pq’s submitted;

‘To ask the Minister,

If he is aware of a serious incident of self harm which occurred in Clontarf Hospital on May 9th 2017, and is he aware that staff had, prior to the event voiced their concern for the well being of the patient and the lack of training and experienced staff in dealing with patients with psychiatric illnesses ?

To ask the Minister,

If following the incident of self harm to a patient in Clontarf Hospital, a report on this incident was notified to the HSE, HIQA,or the Gardai if any state agency has investigated the incident and if there are any ongoing concerns on patient safety at the hospital?

To ask the Minister,

If he will instruct or recommend that Hiqa investigate fully the  incident of self harm at Clontarf Hospital in Dublin and if this investigation will insure that (a) the Hospital meets all national guidelines and standards in relation to the care of patients with psychiatric illnesses in their care? and (b) the manner in which staff were dealt with by management including a report that staff were forced under threat of disciplinary action to change their statements in relation to this incident?

Letter to Health Committee;

Dear Deputy,

I am contacting you as Chair of the Health committee to seek your assistance in relation to an issue of patient safety at Clontarf Hospital and to request that the committee takes two actions.

Firstly, I would ask that the committee write to HIQA  requesting they investigate a recent incident of patient self-harm at the hospital, and the ongoing care of patients with psychiatric illnesses.

Secondly, I would ask that you invite  the CEO or Board chairperson of Clontarf Hospital to address the committee over a number of related issues. These relate to the level of care of this patient, who had a severe psychiatric illness prior to the incident of severe self- harm. The incident of self harm is in itself a serious matter and raises issues about the admission of such patients and the need for sufficient trained staff at any hospital to care for them.I am also aware of a serious allegation that a staff member involved was pressured into changing their statement on the incident by senior managers at the hospital. I also have concerns about the subsequent reporting of the incident to state bodies and agencies charged with oversight on such matters.

Lastly I wish to highlight the fact that the hospital has suffered a very large turnover in staff in recent years, many of whom would have had a wealth of experience and served for long periods at the hospital. Such a turnover and loss of senior experienced staff  needs to be explained especially as it may impact on patient care.

I would urge the committee to ask the management to attend a hearing or to answer questions on this incident and its subsequent handling at the earliest opportunity to insure that there are no concerns with ongoing patient safety at the hospital,

Yours,

Bríd Smith TD