Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I am very grateful to the Chair for giving us an opportunity to speak about this important subject. I am glad the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, is present in the House as we approach the midnight hour to hear our concerns.

At the outset, I extend my sincere sympathy to Brian and Rosemary Sheridan and their family on the death of their daughter, Frances. The North Eastern Health Board has announced that it has appointed an expert group to report on all the circumstances surrounding the death of Frances Sheridan. I appeal to the Minister to direct the health board to carry out the investigation in the most thorough manner possible and to complete it with the minimum of delay. That is the very least the Sheridan family deserves at this tragic time.

Last June I raised, by means of a parliamentary question and on the Adjournment, my concerns that surgical services were under threat at Cavan General Hospital. I expressed particular concern at that time about the threatened withdrawal by the Royal College of Surgeons of recognition of five surgical trainee posts in the hospital. The Minister for Health and Children was requested last August by the CEO of the North Eastern Health Board to establish an inquiry following the suspension of two consultant surgeons. It has been stated repeatedly that the suspensions arose from interpersonal difficulties between the two eminent surgeons. Management, particularly human resource management, is about dealing at the coalface with difficulties and grievances that arise in the workforce. Surely in this day and age there is enough know-how and expertise within an organisation the size of the health board to deal with interpersonal difficulties among some of its most senior employees. This type of issue, albeit a very important matter, should not end up with the Minister and subsequently with an inquiry. These issues should be dealt with and finalised by the employers of the concerned parties and emerging difficulties should be dealt with firmly, conclusively and fairly.

I gather from the Minister's comments in the broadcast media this evening that he has been frustrated, to say the least, in making progress on the inquiry. A third committee has now been established in the inquiry. It is obvious, judging from media reports, that the Irish Hospital Consultants Association has not acted in a manner to facilitate the speedy progress of the inquiry. It is also obvious that the conditions sought by the IHCA before it would nominate two members to sit on the inquiry have delayed the whole process. I would have thought an association such as the IHCA in its representative capacity would do everything possible to represent and protect the legitimate interests of its members, including the utmost co-operation with the inquiry so that it may undertake its work in a thorough and diligent manner and in the quickest possible timeframe. I hope the latest appointed committee can complete its work in a short period.

I meet on a constant basis with people who outline their great satisfaction with the work and expertise of the three consultant surgeons attached to Cavan General Hospital. I also know of the excellent work done and treatment provided in the medical department. The personnel attached to Cavan General Hospital in all disciplines are quite rightly held in high esteem by the community of Cavan-Monaghan, north Longford, south Leitrim and north Meath. Unfortunately, in every hospital there are some outcomes following surgical procedures or medical treatment which give rise to legitimate grievance and mourning for some families and, sadly, no way back for the patient.

The issues at Cavan General Hospital need to be resolved without delay. I understand that the medical board of the hospital recently contacted the Minister requesting a meeting. My advice to the Minister is to meet those representatives of the hospital staff. They are eminent medics whose priority is the good of the hospital and the well-being of the people of the hospital's catchment area. Cavan General Hospital is a relatively new hospital, with the most modern facilities. We want this hospital and all its departments, with its committed staff, working to full capacity.

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