Second children’s hospital chief quits

THE body overseeing the controversial national children’s hospital Mater site plans has lost its second chairman in just six months over claims of political interference.

John Gallagher, who only took the post in October, stepped down after claiming the current location for the €650 million facility no longer has the support of the new Government.

His predecessor, businessman Philip Lynch, resigned after a public row with then Health Minister Mary Harney last autumn which began when he insisted the Mater site was not the best option for children and was wasting money.

In a statement released last night, Mr Gallagher said new Health Minister Dr James Reilly’s decision to review whether a new site would be more cost effective and provide better care to patients meant the Mater plan no longer had the support of cabinet.

As a result, the outgoing head of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) said he could not remain at the helm of the vital project.

Dr Reilly said he respected the motives of Mr Gallagher — who has been adamant the hospital should be built at the Mater site — for leaving the project.

“I respect his decision and his motives, which are entirely honourable.

“I fully understand that Mr Gallagher wants to press ahead with this important project, but I know he acknowledges that, having just become minister I need to take sufficient time to consider all aspects of the matter,” Dr Reilly said.

The ongoing controversy surrounding the location of the hospital is mainly due to concerns over whether finances are available to properly fund the project, if a more suitable alternative site is available, and unsubstantiated claims of political interference.

While the latter issue has been strenuously rejected by those involved, it has been claimed by Dr Reilly that other options could cut the estimated €650m bill by €200m.

The Irish Examiner revealed at the start of this month that after Mr Lynch’s departure late last year, Dr Reilly decided that one of his first acts as the new Health Minister would be to review the entire process which led to the decision to locate the site at the Mater.

Among the other potential locations are a greenfield site off the M50 at Newlands Cross, Tallaght Hospital or Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin.

An NPHDB spokesperson said the group “deeply regrets” Mr Gallagher’s resignation but “remains committed to the delivery of a world class national children’s hospital on the Mater campus”.

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