Harney praises advances in health but words ring hollow

PATIENT safety and public trust.

The Minister for Health strongly believes the HSE has achieved both.

Bad luck for Mary Harney that she was speaking on a day when the HSE was called into question over seemingly ignoring years of serious child abuse in Roscommon.

And a day when the urgent need for reform in mental health services was expressed by the Irish Mental Health Coalition.

In light of both revelations, Ms Harney’s words ring somewhat hollow.

Delivering a 20-page glowing account of our health services at Limerick University yesterday, Ms Harney outlined advances made since the 1920s which have led Ireland to enjoy a health status in the top 10% of the world.

Ireland, she said, is now one of the safest places in the world to have a child. But will those children be protected in this ‘high health status’ system of ours?

In the past, we now know, they have not.

But the new Health Information and Quality Authority, she said, is making “strong contributions” to hospital hygiene.

It recently took action against six hospitals which it found posing “immediate risk” to patients. Yes, it took action — by sending letters asking for improvements.

Ms Harney also gave herself a nod, referring to her recommendation that the Government endorse new standards for the treatment of breast cancer.

This, she said, is the fundamental reason for the reorganisation of cancer services to eight specialist centres.

But as Ms Harney is aware, staff and patients at the breast cancer unit at Cork’s South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH) are vehemently opposed to moving its sophisticated and successful services to Cork University Hospital.

They claim it is a wholly political decision, and are certain it is not in the best interests of patients.

They are afraid for patient safety. And they do not trust.