Róisín’s parents want probe into death

THE parents of the two-year-old girl who died after her heart operation was postponed have called for an independent inquiry into her death.

Gerard Ruddle and Helen Quain-Ruddle, from Ballingarry, Co Limerick, said the official report on the death of their daughter, Róisín, was not enough.

The parents issued a brief statement yesterday after reading the report, which was delivered to their home on Monday night.

“After due consideration we feel further questions need to be answered,” they stated.

They want Health Minister Micheál Martin to set up an independent inquiry into the events surrounding their daughter’s death.

Mr Martin has offered to meet the Ruddles to determine the most appropriate means of addressing their concerns. He has also written to them reiterating his commitment to ensuring all the relevant facts are made available.

The minister said he would not be publishing the report until he had further consultations with the parents.

Róisín died in her mother’s arms on Tuesday, July 1, just hours after she was discharged from Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin. Her heart operation had to be postponed the previous day because of a lack of intensive care nurses.

The Eastern Regional Health Authority contacted senior medical personnel at the hospital when drawing up the report, including consultant cardio-thoracic surgeon, Mr Freddie Wood and cardiologist Dr Paul Oslizok.

It’s believed the report outlines the way the hospital has been funded over the past three years and the events that occurred on June 30, when Róisín’s surgery was cancelled. The report makes no recommendations.

Heart Children Ireland spokesman Shay McConnell said the report could never satisfy Róisín’s family because any improvements that came from it would be too late for them.

“Long after the media has turned its attention away from their tragedy they will still be grieving the loss of their only child,” he said.

He could not accept it was not a funding issue. “It would be easier for Crumlin Hospital to attract staff if the facilities were better and the necessary funding was in place.”

He said there were 79 nurse vacancies at the hospital, including vacancies for 45 intensive care nurses.

Fine Gael Health spokesperson, Olivia Mitchell said hospital management must have access to essential staff to prevent another tragedy.

Labour’s Liz McManus said the Government must give a solid commitment no acutely ill child would have their case delayed or no lives would be put at risk in the future.

Meanwhile, a report in Medicine Weekly claims Mr Martin only applied to the Department of Finance in the last few weeks for funding to appoint a project manager for Crumlin Hospital’s development group, membership of which was announced a year ago.