Taoiseach rejects ‘megaphone rows’ with Cork University Hospital over staffing

The Taoiseach acknowledged increased staffing at the hospital after the health minister questioned its performance compared with Dublin hospitals

Taoiseach Micheál Martin: 'No doubt that staffing in CUH has gone up significantly in the last year again.'

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he is not going to get into “megaphone rows” with Cork University Hospital (CUH) about its staff but warned “people have to do their jobs and manage their resources”.

The Cork South Central TD said there was “no doubt that staffing in CUH has gone up significantly in the last year again”.

“That's a fact. We can't take from that,” he said.

Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill was deeply critical of CUH in the Dáil on Wednesday, arguing despite increased staffing, its trolley numbers remain high.

She compared CUH to Dublin hospitals, St James’ and Beaumont which, she argued, had similar demands and resources but were performing better.

“The reality is that there are some hospitals that have not improved, that need to improve, and bizarrely, the ones that consistently don't improve, Cork, have had the highest recruitment,” she said.

The ministers’ comments came just days after CUH chief executive Jennifer Kearney doubled down on her concerns about staffing and patient safety at the hospital, warning the problem was getting worse.

When asked if Ms Carroll MacNeill was singling out CUH because of its outspoken chief executive, Mr Martin said the health minister had a “laser-like focus on trolley and attendances” at many hospitals.

Speaking in Monaghan, the Taoiseach told the Irish Examiner there was “no doubt that staffing in CUH has gone up significantly in the last year again”.

“That's a fact we can't take from that,” he said.

“But it is a major trauma hospital. It's a hospital that caters beyond the Cork region.

“But the pressures are coming on health because of growing population.” 

Ms Kearney told the Irish Hospital Consultants Association in Kilkenny that no one had contacted her following concerns that she had raised last summer about staffing in CUH.

The Taoiseach said while he would meet her, no request was originally received. He also noted the minister would be the first port of call.

He added: “I don't want to get into a megaphone sort of rows. I want to get to the core of this.

“People have to acknowledge that investment has happened, and that needs to be managed.

“People have to do their jobs and manage the resources as well, notwithstanding the very, very significant pressures that are out there because of a larger population and an aging population.”

• Louise Burne, Political Correspondent