Results 24,221-24,240 of 26,885 for speaker:David Cullinane

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Spinal Surgery Issues at Children's University Hospital Temple Street: Children's Health Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

David Cullinane: In her opening statement, Ms Hardiman mentioned "metal rods" and "high risk". I am asking her about that issue. Was she involved in any discussions with clinicians and others at any point on that issue? That is the terminology she used.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Spinal Surgery Issues at Children's University Hospital Temple Street: Children's Health Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

David Cullinane: Ms Hardiman has not answered my question on whether she was involved in any meeting on those issues, which for me is fundamentally important.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Spinal Surgery Issues at Children's University Hospital Temple Street: Children's Health Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

David Cullinane: Ms Hardiman cannot say "No" to me. I have asked her a question on the issues that she raised about the use of metal rods and the high risk nature of them and whether that was also something that she discussed or was part of discussing in formal meetings. Ms Hardiman cannot tell me "No". I have asked her four times and she still has not said, "No, categorically I was not."

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Spinal Surgery Issues at Children's University Hospital Temple Street: Children's Health Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

David Cullinane: I am not satisfied with those responses at all. I have another email that came from the clinical director of Temple Street Children's Hospital to the consultant who is subject to the Medical Council's complaint. One of the issues that arose very early on was an attempt to paint this whole scandal as being about one consultant or individual. The email sent on 5 August 2022 states: Spines...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Spinal Surgery Issues at Children's University Hospital Temple Street: Children's Health Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

David Cullinane: With respect, Ms Hardiman, we are very short on time. I appreciate her response but my question is more direct. I am asking it from her perspective, and I know there will be an external review. Is it possible that huge pressure was exerted on consultants working in these hospitals to do more procedures than it was potentially safe to do? Given the level of complications that arise, the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Spinal Surgery Issues at Children's University Hospital Temple Street: Children's Health Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

David Cullinane: Is Ms Hardiman saying that is not a possibility? She is completely ruling that out as a possibility.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Spinal Surgery Issues at Children's University Hospital Temple Street: Children's Health Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

David Cullinane: I put it to Ms Hardiman that it was in July that CHI first became aware of a serious incident and then the second one in September.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Spinal Surgery Issues at Children's University Hospital Temple Street: Children's Health Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

David Cullinane: The Department was not notified until November, and that includes the Minister for Health. That is four months, which is completely unacceptable. In my view, there have been lots of failures. I have a final question as I am almost out of time. There will be lots of issues for the review to deal with. I do not believe there should be any reporting back to CHI. My next questions are on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Spinal Surgery Issues at Children's University Hospital Temple Street: Children's Health Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

David Cullinane: With respect, Ms Hardiman can disclose it. I am asking about issues that are matters of fact. The springs were either procured formally through CHI or not. That does prejudice anything; it is a matter of fact.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Spinal Surgery Issues at Children's University Hospital Temple Street: Children's Health Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

David Cullinane: In that case, CHI cannot find a paper trail.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Spinal Surgery Issues at Children's University Hospital Temple Street: Children's Health Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

David Cullinane: I want to make a final point.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Spinal Surgery Issues at Children's University Hospital Temple Street: Children's Health Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

David Cullinane: That would be a matter of judgment and people can form their own conclusions. Ms Hardiman has given her view and I have given mine. On procurement, Ms Hardiman said there was an invoice. She stated strongly, and rightly so, that the springs should never has been used. I find it extraordinary that, even today, she cannot tell us whether they were sourced and procured by a consultant...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Spinal Surgery Issues at Children's University Hospital Temple Street: Children's Health Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

David Cullinane: It is in his interest as well that my question is answered.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Sláintecare Reforms (27 Sep 2023)

David Cullinane: Will there be a need for a Revised Estimate?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Sláintecare Reforms (27 Sep 2023)

David Cullinane: That is important and I will tell Mr. Gloster why. I got this under a freedom of information request. It is the minutes of the ministerial briefing from 23 March 2023. This is more for Mr. Watt because it talks about the national service plan, NSP, which we depend on, by the way, to ensure that it is accurate and all the information is provided. We need to understand what is happening in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Sláintecare Reforms (27 Sep 2023)

David Cullinane: It is unacceptable that pressure would be exerted on the HSE to amend the national service plan to not make reference to the level of financial risk.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Sláintecare Reforms (27 Sep 2023)

David Cullinane: That is what it says - "To remove reference to potential funding shortfall". "To remove" - that is what it is written in these notes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Sláintecare Reforms (27 Sep 2023)

David Cullinane: No. It also states "or requirement for a supplementary [Estimate]". Mr. Watt is dancing on the head of a pin here.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Sláintecare Reforms (27 Sep 2023)

David Cullinane: Heads are rolling in here today.