Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Professor Cowan and the management team for their opening statement and for coming before the committee in such numbers. None of us wants to be giving out about the hospital. We are all here to try to resolve the issues for the greater good. From the responses of the witnesses, I know they and the team are committed to resolving the issues. What stood out for me in the report was the fact the hospital was non-compliant on high-quality, safe and reliable healthcare and dignity, privacy and autonomy. That is alarming. I understand the staff are in difficult circumstances and I acknowledge how hard everybody works. I have been there a few times with a family member and I have witnessed that.

A number of issues have been raised with me and I would like to go through some of them. I acknowledge Professor Cowan's apology earlier. Professor Lenehan apologised during the summer about some of the issues. There is an issue with neurological nurses. Many people are admitted to the hospital because they do not have access to a neurological nurse. They are in pain and they are not able to get advice on how to be treated. They are sent by their GP to the hospital where they present. They take up a bed over a weekend. Are there plans to increase the number of neurological nurses? It is an issue I have raised previously. The number was increased but there is still a deficit.