Patrick Walsh’s death - Taoiseach can not pass the buck

THE Government is doing a Pontius Pilate by washing its hands of responsibility in the circumstances leading to the tragic death of Patrick Walsh, who bled to death last week after being refused a basic operation by four hospitals.

In this day and age it is outrageous that a 75-year-old patient suffering from a bleeding ulcer should die for want of an operation at Monaghan Hospital because the operating theatre just down the corridor was closed at 5pm for insurance reasons.

Reflecting the state of this country’s woefully inadequate health service, doctors were unable to find a bed for him at three other hospitals.