‘We have heard nothing from HSE since report’ says victims’ solicitor
THE solicitor representing two of the seriously ill patients at the centre of the UHK scan crisis says they have had no contact from the HSE since the findings of a review into the scandal was published.
Killarney solicitor Padraig O’Connell is representing two of the 11 affected families.
He has criticised the lack of engagement by the HSE to deal with the patients and said that communication has “been limited”. He also re-iterated a call for the HSE to deal with the matter as expediently as possible instead of putting patients through more trauma.
His comments came after Dr Gerard O’Callaghan told a press briefing on the review that there has been an open discourse with all those involved.
The doctor who led the scan review said the HSE has already apologised verbally and by letter to all those involved.
The HSE re-iterated its apology at the last Wednesday’s briefing. Dr O’Callaghan said that HSE is “in contact and liaising” with the patients.
In the report on the review the HSE said communication continues with all the patients and their families through the risk manager at the hospital.
Mr O’Connell cast doubt on the claims and called on the HSE to “deal with the matter”.
“The HSE should deal with the matter and speak with us now and meet with us. I have issued an open invitation and there has been no response.
“There has been no response since the report was published almost a week ago,” he said.
“Communication has been very limited. The proof is in the pudding. We are waiting for them to respond now. They are people. The responsibility is on them,” said Mr O’Connell.
Mr O’Connell said that legal proceedings have been initiated on behalf of one of the patients and that proceedings will be initiated shortly in relation to a second. Enquires have also been made to his office from other patients.
The HSE confirmed that civil actions have been initiated by a number of patients.
“It is on the HSE now,” said Mr O’Connell.