TD seeks to expose Mid-West elective-only hospital naysayer

DEPUTY Cathal Crowe has clashed verbally with retiring HSE chief executive, Paul Reid about who advised the government not to proceed with an elective-only hospital in the Mid-West against the wishes of the UL Hospitals’ Group.

Speaking at a recent Joint Oireachtas Health Committee, Deputy Crowe questioned Mr Reid about the identify of HSE officials who influenced government policy to proceed with elective-only hospitals in three locations – Dublin, Cork and Galway.

Mr Reid said he had previously told Deputy Crowe the HSE would jointly inform Minister Donnelly of the inputs into the elective hospitals plan. Those inputs have been taken on board.

“I have no doubt University Hospital Limerick seeks one and I understand the concern on it but other parts of the country have made the same case to me as well,” said Mr Reid.

“We have taken all those inputs and, ultimately, it is for the Minister to recommend to Government. That is the legitimate process of our role as public servants and the Minister’s role in
Government.”

Deputy Crowe asked who was involved in the whittling down of these demands so that a memo is handed to the minister and subsequently on to Cabinet comes from the HSE officials.

Mr Reid stated the memo comes through the Department. The Department then drafts a memo to Government for the minister.

“It would not be from the HSE directly to the Department. There would be a joint collaboration that goes on.”

“Who whittled down the options and said the Mid-West does not need an elective hospital? From time immemorial, Governments have always followed advice, and this is the same for the current Government, the next Government and the ones that have come before and that will come after.

“There is the so-called permanent government of the Civil Service, and if it advises the Minister to do a certain thing, it is very rare that the Minister does a complete u-turn and pushes back. It is not the Minister, it is not Government, and it is not the University Hospital Limerick management.

“I want to know who in that chain of command whittled this down from “Yes, we need an elective hospital in the Mid-West” to “No, we do not”.
“Who is that person who struck a pen through a page and said we do not need one?,” Deputy Crowe asked.
Mr Reid, “Would it not be uncommon for a Minister not to take the advice? That is a legitimate process, to be clear. I am just explaining the process. Ultimately, a memo to Government is brought by the Minister.”
Deputy Crowe said it would be very helpful if the memo was circulated to this committee so that we could review it under correspondence.