Investigation now needed into latest Mater A&E death

13 January 2009

by Cllr Joe Costello

The death of Patrick Dunne, who died while waiting to be seen by medical staff in the Mater A&E Department, is a dreadful tragedy and one that must be investigated in full.

First and foremost, I would like to extend my sympathies to Mr Dunne's family and friends whose death occurs a year almost to the day, of Beverly Seville-Doyle who passed away in similar circumstances in the same hospital.

It is particularly disturbing that Mr Dunne died, clearly without getting the treatment he required, despite attempts by fellow patients to draw attention to his condition.

Mr Dunne's death must be subject to an independent and detailed investigation, so that we can learn precisely how it happened, and so that further tragedies like this can be avoided.

While the details of the Mr Dunne's death are not yet clear, incidents such as this are always more likely to occur in circumstances where A&E services, like that in the Mater, are under the immense pressure.

I have been campaigning for a decent service at the Mater for the last five years, and while there have been efforts from time to time to address the issues there, the problems there are to all intents and purposes as bad as, if not worse than, at any time in the past.

The situation in A&E departments is the most visible sign of the deep seated problems in the Irish health service. Overcrowding, poor hygiene, long delays, indignity and discomfort for patients, many of them elderly, staff working heroically in impossible circumstances - the problems are well known.

I will continue to highlight these issues until they are resolved, and until people like Patrick Dunne and Beverly Seville-Doyle who turn up in need of attention can get the treatment they need in a timely manner.