Abused patients’ advocates ‘ignored by HSE and department’

An agency supporting victims of sexual violence in the Irish health service has claimed it is being ignored by the HSE and the Department of Health.

Dignity 4 Patients said some patients in Ireland, such as those abused by disgraced DJ Jimmy Savile in Britain, reported abuse to other health professionals but were not listened to or responded to appropriately. Former nurse and executive director of Dignity 4 Patients Bernadette O’Sullivan said the organisation was the voice of abused patients, but the Irish health authorities were not listening to it.

“We call on the Minister of Health, his department officials, and the HSE, in light of the Savile report, to reconsider the attitude they have adopted to date to Dignity 4 Patients and the hundreds of people who have contacted the service,” said Ms O’Sullivan.