Stephen Donnelly, the Health Minister, has commented on the relocation of Colette Cowan, the former top executive of the University Hospital Limerick (UHL), classifying it as a consequence of her role being discontinued and not a promotion. Cowan, under disciplinary proceedings after the untimely death of 16-year-old Aoife Johnston, has been designated as one of the new integrated healthcare district managers for the Midwest, a part of the structural reform within the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Cowan, together with five other individuals involved, was placed on administrative leave while the enquiry into Johnston’s death continues. Notably, she hasn’t yet commenced her new role and maintains her administrative leave for now.
Johnston, a resident of Shannon in Co Clare, succumbed to meningitis in December 2022. She arrived at the hospital, suspected of sepsis and was left unattended for 13 hours. An investigation by ex-chief justice Frank Clarke concluded that her untimely death could have likely been prevented.
Regarding Cowan’s new role, Donnelly warned during a Thursday meeting of the Oireachtas health committee that comments must be cautious as a significant disciplinary process is currently against the individual. In light of the structural reform intending to remove several layers of senior management, Donnelly declared a reshuffle of senior management, including community health organisations and hospital group leadership, intended.
He added that switching to a lesser managerial control sphere, which many perceive Cowan’s reassignment to be, is rational and doesn’t qualify as an elevation in position.
The position previously known as hospital group chief executive no longer exists according to Mr Donnelly. Despite current investigations, no conclusive evidence against anyone at UHL has been uncovered in the midwest. Mr Donnelly alludes to the fact that the disciplinary measures taken against six individuals signify the largest act of holding people accountable in the last two decades in the HSE.
Nonetheless, Mr Donnelly urged lawmakers to not downplay contract law’s influence in the country. This was in reference to recent court proceedings involving Brian Lenehen, UL Hospitals Group’s chief clinical director, who wants a High Court order to reposition him in his former hospital role immediately. “The legal system strongly defends the rights of the employee,” Mr Donnelly iterated, “and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing”.
In response to updates in the Midwestern region, Mr Donnelly revealed that Ian Carter has been assigned the role of chief executive for acute and elder care services, while Dr Catherine Peters has been given the job of regional clinical director.
Due to the fears regarding patient and personnel safety as a result of severe overcrowding, the Minister has asked the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) to conduct a review to determine if a second emergency department is required in the midwest region.
Stating that there is indeed a strong argument for the establishment of a second emergency department, Mr Donnelly explains this is why he ordered the review. However, he also mentions that the best place to locate the facility isn’t straightforward, a matter the watchdog will also be investigating. An initial overview on this matter is expected from Hiqa in February, with a comprehensive report scheduled for release in May.