Another Neary scandal a possibility, says health watchdog

THE head of a health watchdog has not ruled out the possibility of another scandal of the scale that resulted in more than 200 women having their wombs needlessly removed.

Dr Tracey Cooper, chief executive of the Health Information and Quality Authority, said she could “never say never” to another Dr Michael Neary scenario, the doctor at the centre of one of the country’s biggest medical scandals. While working at Our Lady of Lourdes

Hospital in Drogheda, the disgraced obstetrician needlessly removed the wombs and/or ovaries of up to 250 women.

In an interview in today’s Irish Examiner, Dr Cooper said: “I am often asked ‘would you prevent another Neary?’”

“We can never say never but with the scrutiny, with the development of standards, with supporting the workforce and staff in delivering those, and expecting the Health Service Executive as a provider — or whoever the provider is — to ensure that those standards are implemented, then there’s a preventive aspect to this.”

Dr Cooper admitted collegiality among doctors can create difficulties for patients and staff in the health service.

“As we are a nice culture and people do get on well, sometimes when things go wrong, it’s difficult.

“I think it does bring challenges but I think collegiality is a good thing,” she said.

The authority, established on a statutory footing in May, has the power to carry out mandatory quality assurance reviews in hospitals but has no power to take action against any hospital that fails to meet standards.

However, it will have substantial powers in relation to residential care homes.

“If we have serious concerns then we can seek a district court injunction to close the provider.

“If we’re being obstructed, we can get a district court warrant, take a garda with us, remove medical records, computers and insist on interviewing people. They are stronger powers than many of the regulators,” said Dr Cooper.

Those responsible for failing to uphold standards can be jailed for 12 months and fined up to €5,000 on summary conviction.

Conviction on indictment could lead to a maximum fine of €70,000 and two years’ imprisonment.

For the first time ever, under the Health Act 2007, homes for children with disabilities will be inspected as well as public nursing homes.

Dr Cooper said she hopes inspections will be underway by the end of 2007 or the beginning of 2008, six months later than the summertime starting date predicted earlier this year by Health Minister Mary Harney.