Hospital disputes allegation children endangered

MANAGEMENT at a children’s hospital have disputed nurses’ claims that patients in intensive care were at risk from the release of fumes into the hospital’s ventilation system.

Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) spokesperson Phil Ní Sheaghdha said fumes generated by laying tar had entered Crumlin Hospital’s ventilation system on Friday while builders were working on the roof of the ICU (intensive care unit). “The air was polluted in the ICU, where you had kids both just off and on ventilator machines. This outside work has the potential to compromise their care.”

Ms Ní Sheaghdha said staff and patients at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin had been exposed to a litany of problems since renovation works began last year.