Coombe Hospital chief warned HSE of risks a year ago

It has emerged that the HSE was warned a year ago that the Coombe Women's Hospital poses serious risks.

According to the Irish Independent, the Master of the Hospital Chris Fitzpatrick wrote to the HSE a year ago to warn them of the risks and outcomes for premature babies, hospital-acquired infections and fire injury and death.

But last September, when there was still no action taken, he had to raise concerns again, saying that the hospital could not accept responsiblilty for risks unless €3.2m in emergency funding was restored.

In a statement to the Irish Independent, the HSE said the hospital was provided with €3.16m in 2009 for emergency capital works and it will receive €3.3m next year to carry out critically urgent work.