Claims hospital inquiry ‘sneaky and underhand’

AN investigation into standards of care at Mallow General Hospital has been branded a “sneaky and underhand” campaign to downgrade services at the hospital.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) confirmed it is to conduct an independent inquiry into the hospital and said the terms of reference would be published next week. It is understood the investigation comes following complaints made to HIQA about the hospital.

Last night, however, Labour TD Seán Sherlock said the move was sneaky and underhand and people could see the move for what it really was – an attempt to fulfil government policy to downgrade smaller hospitals. “Every single report into Mallow shows it performs above average on hygiene, bed management and on budgetary issues. Every hospital will have a citation number of complaints but it would appear where small hospitals have complaints made against them they feel the full brunt of the HSE.