Hospice at centre of probe close to accepting patients

THE Galway Hospice, which was at the centre of a medical errors investigation, has moved closer to accepting new patients.

It has agreed with the Western Health Board to hire a locum (temporary) consultant to begin referrals to its 12-bed in-patient unit.

“We are looking at candidates in Australia and the UK, and the health board are assisting us. But we may have to headhunt somebody,” said Galway Hospice chairman Dr Richard Joyce.

No new patients have been admitted to the hospice’s in-patient unit since its consultant Dr Dymphna Waldron, stopped making referrals a year ago.

She had raised concerns about the incorrect dispensing of drugs by medical staff. This led to the publication of an independent report last March, which found medical errors at the hospice had led to four patients requiring life-saving treatment between January 2002 and May 2003.

The report made 65 recommendations but Dr Waldron withdrew from the implementation process due to “medical reasons”.

She continues to work as a consultant at University College Hospital, Galway (UCHG). The Galway Hospice said most of the recommendations had now been implemented.

The new locum consultant will assume responsibility for patient referrals.

Only four of the 12 beds will be available due to staff shortages, although the hospice intends to open more once the consultant is appointed. The Western Health Board, which provides €2.3 million in funding for the unit, is carrying out an investigation into allegations of bullying against Dr Waldron, which she has denied.

The hospice itself is also due to carry out a review of its management structure.