Fergal Bowers

1 week ago | rte.ie | Fergal Bowers

The recent RTÉ Investigates exposé, on a number of private nursing homes and the fall-out, has raised fresh questions about the extent of HIQA's powers or ability to regulate the sector. A number of important facts emerged from the Oireachtas Health Committee today. Firstly, HIQA said it has no power to fine a nursing home and that cancellation of a home's registration is the "nuclear option".

2 weeks ago | rte.ie | Fergal Bowers

The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has said that following a meeting of its Board, it is to resume insourcing work, effective immediately, with Children's Health Ireland (CHI). It follows a review of the assurances given by CHI in relation to its ongoing compliance with existing NTPF protocols and procedures. Funding was suspended recently after the NTPF learned of details of an unpublished CHI internal report into practices in one of its hospitals.

2 weeks ago | rte.ie | Fergal Bowers

The hospital which had its NTPF funding suspended in mid April is Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, a major public facility. It is understood the issue is very different to what was found at CHI in an internal review and it does not relate to a consultant-led issue. The Department of Health was first alerted to the issue at Beaumont on 11 April and the Minister for Health was advised on 14 April.

3 weeks ago | rte.ie | Fergal Bowers

Funding of insourcing patient treatments by the National Treatment Purchase Fund at Children's Health Ireland hospitals will recommence imminently, a spokesperson for the Department of Health has said. Earlier this week, the NTPF suspended waiting list funding for CHI, pending a review but it is understood the resumption of funding is likely to be within days. There were concerns that a protracted suspension would lead to large numbers of children waiting for care.

3 weeks ago | rte.ie | Fergal Bowers

The Health Service Executive has said it has decided to refer matters raised in the internal Children's Health Ireland report to An Garda Síochána and intends to meet gardaí very shortly to discuss it. The HSE said it has also decided that matters raised in the report will be referred to the Medical Council and it will discuss with CHI how this will be done. The Medical Council is the policing body for doctors' behaviour.