Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I heard the interview given by Mr. Freddie Woods, the cardiologist at Crumlin Children's Hospital, on the radio this morning. I agree with other Senators that he was extremely fair in what he said. I welcome the inquiry by the Minister for Health and Children into this serious and important matter. It is worth pointing out that, over the last number of weeks in Crumlin hospital, 25 beds have closed, chemotherapy has been regularly deferred for small children with cancer and the conditions of the buildings are so inadequate that senior staff are moving to a prefab in order to allow their space to be developed for essential services within the hospital. It is critical that we examine this as a matter of public policy because ICU nurses are simply not available in Crumlin and Mr. Woods said that such an incident could happen again. It is not good enough and cannot continue.