Drumm defends healthcare staff after criticism from Ombudsman

UNDER fire health service chief Professor Brendan Drumm has defended the work of healthcare staff in light of stinging criticism by the Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) chief executive described recent comments by Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly – who suggested on Thursday that there was something “rotten” within the excessively “secretive” organisation – as “unfortunate”.

Prof Drumm admitted there was difficulty releasing records on patients’ cases, as claimed by Ms O’Reilly, but said the HSE was striving to be more open.