Minister denies new job for former University Hospital Limerick CEO is a promotion

It was reported earlier that Colette Cowan, who is on administrative leave, will be one of the integrated healthcare area managers for a newly-formed region. File photo: Liam Burke/Press 22

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has insisted a new job for the former chief executive of UL Hospital Group is not a promotion, in the wake of ongoing overcrowding in the region.

He addressed a special sitting of the Oireachtas Health Committee along with regional executive officer for HSE Mid West Sandra Broderick.

It was reported earlier that Colette Cowan, who is on administrative leave, will be one of the integrated healthcare area managers for the newly-formed region. This is part of the restructuring of the HSE nationally.

Answering questions from Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe, Mr Donnelly said: “The role (of CEO) doesn’t exist anymore. The role which was held, which was hospital group chief executive, doesn’t exist.

“This is not the same as someone being on administrative leave and simply moving from one permanent post to another. The role that the individual occupied is gone.” 

He said these moves are taking place elsewhere also.

“It’s not a promotion, it is moving to what arguably would be seen as a smaller span of control,” he added. “I would certainly not characterise it as a promotion. The promotion would be to Sandra Broderick’s role.” 

Sinn Féin Health spokesman David Cullinane also raised the new role, saying: “I need to put to you, because I am aware of it, that the family of Aoife Johnston are far from happy with that.” 

Mr Cullinane and Senator Martin Conway asked why the new head of acute and older people’s services Ian Carter did not attend. Mr Donnelly said he had not been invited but would attend any further sessions.

He also said union claims for over 200 nursing vacancies at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) are “simply not true”. He told independent TD Violet-Anne Wynne this was previously checked by department officials.

Ms Broderick told independent TD Micheal Lowry that the HSE is moving ahead with buying Mount Carmel community nursing home in Roscrea. This is part of plans to boost community services.

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Other changes will see opening hours of Medical Assessment Units locally expand to midnight from next week.

Mr Donnelly also confirmed use of office space for hospital management at Raheen Business Park has ended.

“Ian (Carter) has set up residence in the hospital, he is a formidable manager and the office block — which should never have been opened, the management should have been on the site all the time — is now being turned into an outpatient department,” he said.

The tragic death of 16-year-old Aoife Johnston was raised by numerous speakers. Mr Donnelly said he will meet with the family after they contacted him and Taoiseach Simon Harris through their solicitor on Wednesday.

“It is devastating to lose a child,” he said.

He committed to further investment at the hospital, saying: “Between the beds that we are adding and the ones we have already added, the mid-west will end up with the second highest level of beds per capita of the six regions. We are not stopping there.”