UHL director failed to have back-up system for dealing with overcrowding, HSE tells court

Counsel was responding to questions raised by Ms Justice Siobhan Stack in the ongoing hearing of Prof Lenehan's action seeking that he be restored to his position

Prof. Brian Lenehan (pictured) says an unlawful decision was made in September by Bernard Gloster, chief executive of the HSE, to place him on administrative leave because of a belief that continuation in his role may give rise to an immediate and serious risk to the safety, health and welfare of UHL patients. Photo: Collins Courts

The chief clinical director of University Hospital Limerick (UHL) group failed to have a back-up system in place which could have dealt with the emergency department (ED) overcrowding connected to the death of student Aoife Johnston, the HSE has argued in the High Court.

Peter Ward SC, for the HSE, said the existence of an ad hoc system for dealing with overcrowding in the UHL was one of the factors which led to the decision to place Brian Lenehan, who was in charge of ED, on administrative leave.