HSE chief defends €127k spend on bike shed at Kerry Hospital

The public accounts committee intends to call the HSE to account for the 40-bicycle shed at the hospital in Tralee, which is in the HSE South West region. Photo: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD

HSE chief executive Anne O’Connor has defended the €127,000 cost of a bike shelter at University Hospital Kerry, saying part of the funding was provided by the National Transport Authority.

The public accounts committee intends to call the HSE to account for the 40-bicycle shed at the hospital in Tralee, which is in the HSE South West region.

Ms O’Connor told the Irish Examiner on Friday that she intends to examine the issue.

“My understanding is in that instance there was a significant contribution from the NTA as well as the HSE Green Fund,” she said.

“I think there are things we still have to do. I don’t have all of the specific details but I am aware there was a contribution from outside the HSE as well.” 

Ms O'Connor insisted that “we do have to provide facilities for staff too”, adding that a bike shed falls under the HSE’s climate action objectives.

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It comes just days after she wrote to the head of HSE South West, Dr Andy Philips, and other regional executive officers, calling for spending to be reined in.

The HSE is facing an overall deficit of €250m up to the end of March this year.

“In spend terms what I have asked everybody in all regions is to ensure that non-pay spend is absolutely reduced and minimised. We cannot be spending money on things when we want to provide patient care,” she said.

Hospital overcrowding

Ms O’Connor was speaking during the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation conference in Dundalk on Friday. In her speech she acknowledged the pressures facing hospital staff.

“I cannot stand here today without acknowledging the reality of hospital overcrowding,” she said. “I know that many of you are working in environments that feel compromised by trolley waits and admissions without beds.” 

She added: 

The HSE does not look at these numbers with indifference.

Last April saw the highest number of patients on trolleys in the month of April in 20 years of INMO records. 

Speaking to reporters, Ms O’Connor acknowledged the crisis, admitting that “it is a feature of health services”. Reform is the way to change this, she said. 

INMO general secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha raised the negative affect that overcrowding has on patients and staff.

“The one thing patients say all the time is the nurses or midwives were fantastic but the problem is gaining access (to care),” she said, calling for a greater focus on recruitment, and adding that regulatory obligations for safe staffing numbers are not being met.

“We believe recruitment is way behind what it should be," said Ms Ni Sheaghdha.