Dr Gabriel Scally: Vicky Phelan 'kept me on the right track' during CervicalCheck report
Dr Gabriel Scally’s report made 50 recommendations for reform. Picture: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
Following the conclusion of Vicky Phelan’s case and her refusal to shut up and go away, the Government, against significant resistance from its own officials, set up an inquiry into what happened to the women affected by CervicalCheck.
Such was her standing, then health minister Simon Harris reached out to Vicky to tell her about his plans to appoint Dr Gabriel Scally as an independent expert to conduct the inquiry.
Dr Scally had a distinguished career as a senior public health doctor and adviser with the British Department of Health and would report back to the minister for health by the end of the month, setting out his findings.
As Vicky pointed out in her autobiography Overcoming: “Simon Harris had told me about this development. We had kept in touch, and were continuing to brief one another. I felt he was on my side through it all. I trusted him, and I could see he was following through on his promises. It would later emerge that he instigated the inquiry despite the fact that his own department was against it.”
Before Dr Scally began his work, he was adamant he wanted to meet Vicky.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner, he said: “The morning after I was appointed by Cabinet, I met with Vicky. She was getting treatment. She was so keen to meet. I saw the calibre of the woman, she was adamant that this should not have happened to other women.”
She was due at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin for an appointment and Dr Scally booked a meeting room on the ward where she was having treatment and ordered teas, coffees and sandwiches.
“When I met with Gabriel, he said that he would do his best to get to the heart of what had happened. From that day on, we kept in very close contact. I had confidence in his judgement and his resolve to get answers, while at the same time trying to ensure that we still had a screening programme that worked and could be trusted,” she wrote in her book.
The efforts of Vicky, Stephen Teap, and Lorraine Walsh were key, Dr Scally said. “All the way through, between Vicky, Stephen, and Lorraine, they were terrific advocates and they kept me on the right track.
The relationship with Dr Scally was tested when elements of his report were leaked to the media in advance of publication. Vicky and the others were furious.
“The leaking of the report meant they were very concerned about what was in it. I met them and we had hours to go through the report. Simon Harris was very helpful. They were angry with me at the beginning because I wasn’t recommending a full judicial inquiry,” Dr Scally said.
That episode, he said, allowed him to address many of Vicky’s frustrations and also meant that in the final report the voices of the women so utterly failed by the State were front and centre.
Unlike many other previous reports, Dr Scally’s was noticeably different in tone and conclusion.
Rather than taking a legalistic and system-centric approach, he did not seek to blame anyone but wanted the report to be a conduit to allow the public to hear how the women affected had been failed.
“I was determined to have as much communication as possible throughout. The report was a collaborative effort,” he said.
The final report landed like a bombshell that forced official Ireland to stand up.
Dr Scally didn’t blame individuals, but what Vicky, Stephen and Lorraine wanted was to get the truth, for people to say sorry.
The most important aspect of the report was the 50 recommendations for reform and getting those recommendations implemented, said Dr Scally.
Overall, he is positive about the changes that have been made.
“I think the HSE has made a good response to the recommendations, some still need attention. The Covid emergency has knocked it off course, but I am sure progress will continue. There will lasting legacy to Vicky,” he said.
While he said the response from officials in the Department of Health was atrocious, the final report was possible primarily because of the relationship between Vicky and Simon Harris.
Asked to assess her overall legacy, Dr Scally said amazing things have been achieved for women in Ireland in the past decade and when the history of that decade is being written, Vicky Phelan’s name will be at the heart of it.
Vicky Phelan. Picture: Cathal Noonan
20/07/2018 Vicky Phelan who received a Gamechanger Ambassador Award during the Womans Way & Beko Mum of the Year Awards at The Gibson Hotel, Dublin. Picture: Gareth Chaney Collins
Vicky Phelan at the Network Ireland Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2018, Roseann Heavey, president of Network Ireland presented The Trish Murphy Memorial Award to Vicky Phelan for her outstanding contribution to women in Ireland The Trish Murphy Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution was created in memory of a woman that excelled in her field. Trish Murphy was a past Network Dublin President and national President. This award is presented to someone who is not involved with Network Ireland but who has made a significant contribution to their field. Picture: Andrew Downes, Xposure
26/06/18 Vicky Phelan pictured with her son Darragh. Vicky was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate given to her in recognition of her exceptional commitment to improving womenÕs healthcare in Ireland. University of Limerick (UL) conferred an honorary doctorate on university alumna and former employee, Vicky Phelan. UL president Dr Des Fitzgerald praised Vicky for her selfless commitment to public service, describing her as an inspiration to students, staff and the wider university community. Picture: Sean Curtin/True Media.
Vicky Phelan at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2019 at The Convention Centre, Dublin, Ireland - 20.11.19. Picture: VIPIRELAND.com
Irish Examiner, Feelgood feature. Limerick City. Vicky Phelan Picture: Cathal Noonan
A digital artwork of Vicky Phelan is projected onto the GPO in Dublin to mark the release of a feature documentary about her life next week. 'Vicky' tells the story of how the Limerick woman revealed issues with Ireland's cervical screening programme CervicalCheck. It airs in cinemas on October 7. Picture date: Thursday September 29, 2022.
02/11/2018. Labour's 70th National Conference. Picture (LtoR) Stephen Teap and Vicky Phelan after receiving the Jo Cox Award by Labour Women in the Ballsbridge Hotel at the Labour day conference on day 2. Picture: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
Vicky Phelan and Ryan Tubridy backstage at the Late Late Show
22/10/2019 CervicalCheck State Apology. Vicky Phelan on her way into the Dáil (Leinster House) to hear the Taoiseach apologise to the victims of the CervicalCheck controversy/Scandal. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie
Vicky Phelan at Cervical Check Patient Support Group, held at Farmleigh, Dublin. October 2018. Picture: Paul Sherwood
Vicky Phelan. Picture: Naomi Gaffey.
‘Overcoming’ by Vicky Phelan and Naomi Linehan, a book written about truth and bravery through Vicky’s remarkable personal story. Picture: MAXWELLPHOTOGRAPHY.IE
1/8/2018 Cervical Cancer Scandals. Cervical cancer victim Vicky Phelan speaking to the media in Government Buildings today after her meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, over the recent court cases where Ruth Morrissey had to endure several days in court despite previous assurance that this would not happen. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie
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