Chair of Neary inquiry launches scathing attack on HSE

The judge who chaired the inquiry into the actions of Dr Michael Neary has reportedly launched a scathing attack on the Health Service Executive.

Reports this morning said Judge Maureen Harding Clarke had accused the HSE of failing to implement the recommendations of her report into the high level of hysterectomies carried out by Dr Neary.

The reports said Judge Harding Clarke told a conference in Dublin yesterday that she had recently returned to Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda to see how things were progressing.

However, while her recommendations had been embraced by senior midwives and consultants, there had reportedly been no real attempt by the HSE to implement them.

Judge Harding Clarke reportedly questioned the education and leadership qualities of HSE officials and warned that what happened at Lourdes Hospital could be replicated in other hospitals if action is not taken.