Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A man dies in a Dublin hospital. He arrives in an ambulance totally dishevelled and in serious pain. His family accompany him. When they go into the accident and emergency department, the doctor in despair asks why they let this man fall into this condition, why he has arrived like this and why they did not look after him in their home. The doctor did not realise that the patient was coming from a HSE hospital where he had been abused. He died in appalling circumstances.

The family brought it to the attention of the HSE. An inquiry was set up. The inquiry does not include any doctor, medical information or specialist. The family rejects that. I get involved and a second inquiry into the man's death is set up. The doctor walks away from the inquiry which collapses. There is now a third inquiry into the death of this man which is held up for legal reasons.

The HSE is hiding and not facing its accountability in this Oireachtas, through the Minister or the public. It is a shame what is happening in this country. The waiting lists are a shame. It is a shame that a year ago Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital was short 55 nurses and three anaesthetists. There were six people in the intensive care units and another six lined up outside, waiting to get in there. Only one made it inside that door. I am trying to find out what happened to the rest of those patients. There is a crisis in intensive care beds in this country. I only know these things because of the Freedom of Information Act 2014. The HSE is not accountable to me as a Member of the Oireachtas, to anybody in this House or to the public and is hiding its accountability from the Minister. I welcome the Minister's commitment that heads will roll.

11 o’clock

It is not accountable to the public and it is hiding its accountability from the Minister. I welcome the Minister's commitment that heads will roll. Heads must roll in this dysfunctional and appalling organisation, which from top to bottom is full of bureaucracy and lacking in accountability. I am ashamed that I have to stand up and say these things here. I support the Government, the budgets and the Minister. I believe he is the person to deal with the terminal crisis in the health service. The head of the HSE must roll and should roll now. Each of the three separate waiting lists is populated by people who are in pain and are suffering because they have been waiting for longer than they should be waiting for. What the hell are we going to do about it? The HSE claims that having multiple lists is standard international practice, but it is not the practice in England or in other countries. We should have one short list that is dealt with. We should not have the longest list in Europe. We should ensure we have the shortest list. I support the Minister in his intention to do that.

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