Burying bad news - Government out of order

In THE midst of the enormous interest in the presidential election in the United States, the Government here made some momentous announcements that were obviously intended to be lost in the glare of the historic international developments.

Health Minister Mary Harney announced that the Health Service Executive was backing out of the planned pre-emptive vaccination programme for 12-year-old girls against the virus that causes cervical cancer. The minister explained that the programme was being cut to save €10 million annually.

In relative terms, this in penny pinching, not just because inaction may ultimately cost much more in financial terms, but more importantly on account of the possible cost in human terms.

The HSE also used the occasion to publish its review of the 6,000 X-rays and 67 CT scans that were incorrectly diagnosed by an elderly locum consultant radiologist in the Louth/Meath Hospitals between August 2006 and August 2007. The timing of the release of the report tends to suggest that the HSE may be more concerned with covering up than reforming its mistakes.

On the same day, the Social Welfare Bill was published with cuts to child benefits and the job seekers’ allowance. The timing of all of these announcements stinks of cynical opportunism.