‘We need accountability & transparency', warns Dail health watchdog as CHI to face grilling over series of scandals
The body that runs our children's
The latest issue to hit CHI saw an internal report reveal a culture of
This shocking report also unveiled problems with the handling of waiting lists that resulted in some children being left waiting too long for much needed surgeries that they could have got from other doctors.
CEO Lucy Nugent, ex-chief Eilish Hardiman, clinical director Ike Okafor, and Head of Spinal Surgery David Moore are set to face the
Watchdog chairman Padraig Rice has warned CHI bosses that he will demand full accountability and transparency when they come before TDs and Senators.
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He told the Irish Sun: 'We need to see some accountability and transparency.
'We need them to start answering some of the questions we're putting to them and we need to see a culture change.
'There are lots of things that do need to change at CHI.
'They are going to be responsible for the transfer to the National Children's Hospital – one of the largest health infrastructure and capital projects in the history of the State.
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'We have to ensure that we're handing the keys of that hospital to a safe pair of hands and that it will be managed well.
'There have been a series of scandals and a series of issues with CHI and I think there are serious questions for CHI on how it is being managed, the internal culture, the internal communications, the working arrangements there, bullying.
'You are going to have to remove me from this Chamber,' Senator shouts as fury sparked over surgery waiting lists
'They have a lot of issues to address and a lot of that starts with changing that culture and core to that is transparency and accountability not just to the Oireachtas but to parents and to families.'
The Social Democrats TD said that 'trust in CHI is on the floor for parents' and he believes the leaders of the State body need to work to restore that trust.
Our Kids Can't Wait Campaign
WAITING lists in Ireland have long been a national disgrace.
More than 106,000 children are on hospital waiting lists for all treatments. However, a new source of shame has emerged as 327 children wait for life changing spinal surgeries.
Their conditions are getting worse while they languish on waiting lists.
Such are the delays, many child patients will be outside the therapeutic window when their treatments are approved.
Earlier this month, the Seanad heard how at least one child has become permanently paralysed since the issue was raised publicly before Christmas.
Their plight has been spearheaded by campaigning Senator Tom Clonan, who himself has a child with a disability.
Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has even admitted that the health service is failing these kids.
Children are being allowed to deteriorate due to mismanagement, which has allowed the waiting lists to grow.
The Irish Sun's Kids Can't Wait campaign aims to shine a light on how the State is failing sick children and give their families a voice.
It will also force the Government to do something to clear the backlog of operations and give these children a chance of living a normal life.
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CHI's CEO Lucy Nugent is among those set to be grilled
Credit: PR Handout image
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Irish Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Mum's five-year-old with scoliosis to get MRI after Irish Mirror intervention
The mum of a five-year-old child - who has recently been diagnosed with scoliosis - has now been assured that her daughter will get her MRI scan after the Irish Mirror intervened. Last week, we reported how Carolann Walsh was worried that her daughter Hannah, who has recently been diagnosed with scoliosis, had been told they may have to wait eight months to a year just to get an MRI scan. Carolann, from Kilkenny - who as a teenager fought her own battle with the health service after her planned spinal fusion surgery was cancelled in 2009 due to ward closures - now says she is 'fighting the exact same fight' - this time for her own daughter, Hannah. Her daughter Hannah was recently diagnosed with scoliosis, a condition where the spine curves abnormally. In Hannah's case, Carolann says the pressure on her spine is causing relentless headaches, sometimes escalating into migraines. However, Hannah was referred to University Hospital Waterford. And after communicating with Children's Health Ireland (CHI), this reporter discovered that Waterford is not a Children's Health Ireland hospital. We passed this information onto Ms Walsh, who responded, saying: 'CHI have confirmed that Waterford is not one of their hospitals — something I only discovered after a journalist [Irish Mirror's Nicola Donnelly] raised the question and CHI themselves asked whether Hannah was under their care. 'At Waterford Hospital, I had actually been told she was on one of the fastest lists available to her, which caused a lot of confusion,' said Ms Walsh. 'Up until that point, I was operating under the wrong assumption through no fault of my own. 'Once I got that clarification, I went straight back to my GP at Airfield Medical Practice, who then referred Hannah to Crumlin Hospital, which does fall under CHI. 'Today (Tuesday), however, I was contacted directly by a spinal nurse who reassured me that Hannah will be seen, and confirmed there are currently no waiting times for MRIs at their hospital,' said Ms Walsh. 'That has given us some much-needed relief after weeks of uncertainty, and now we can focus on Hannah instead of being caught up in waiting lists,' said Ms Walsh. Carolann says she stands in solidarity with the parents of the late Harvey Morrison Sherratt (pictured) (Image: 'That said, I still stand in solidarity with the parents of the late Harvey Morrison and all the families whose children are waiting for scoliosis surgery. I will continue to speak out on their behalf. 'This is an issue that stretches back as far as 2008 — I lived through it as a child myself and now I see my own daughter facing the same battles . 'It's also important to highlight that Simon Harris promised in 2017 that no child would wait longer than four months for spinal surgery. 'That promise has been broken and here we are 16 years later with nothing having changed. 'It simply should not be happening,' said Ms Walsh. Earlier last week, Children's Health Ireland confirmed to us that there is 'no waiting list for urgent MRI for scoliosis treatment'. 'CHI cannot comment on individual cases. Every child's care plan is different. An MRI may be postponed to allow for a growth spurt or other clinical factors - these are clinical decisions. 'There is no waiting list for an urgent MRI for scoliosis treatment.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here . The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
The Journal
20 hours ago
- The Journal
HSE has helped just 104 younger people move out of nursing homes for the elderly
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The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
I'm a baby expert and here's the biggest money traps that parents need to avoid – what to get instead to help save cash
'Most of these things just burn your wallet and don't actually contribute to your parenting skills' TOT IT UP I'm a baby expert and here's the biggest money traps that parents need to avoid – what to get instead to help save cash FROM fancy formulas to high-tech gadgets, it's hard to know what's essential and what's not when it comes to buying for babies. And neonatologist and paediatrician Dr Afif El-Khuffash is here to help make the journey easier for new parents. Advertisement 7 Dr Afif El-Khuffash works as a neonatologist and pediatrician 7 He shared the biggest items that are a waste of money for parents The co-host of parenting podcast The Baby Tribe works with premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit and as a lactation consultant for families with young children at Dublin's Rotunda Hospital. Speaking to the Irish Sun, he explained: 'It's very interesting, because as a pediatrician I see a lot of products that are marketed to parents that promise health, safety and developmental benefits - but most of these things just burn your wallet and don't actually contribute to your parenting skills. 'The one thing I would tell parents is that most of the time, the very basics that babies need and the parents' own interaction with their children is pretty much more than enough. Advertisement "A lot of the products advertise themselves in such a way to make parents feel that they are on their own and their parenting skills aren't enough to raise a healthy, well developed baby.' Here, he reveals his biggest money traps for new parents - and what you should opt for instead. BABY FORMULAS Baby formulas are used by thousands of parents - and now, there are countless different types to choose from. Between organic, gold and advanced, it's hard to know which is best for your growing baby. 7 The first is formula with specific labels Advertisement But according to Dr El-Khuffash, the formulas being labelled with these buzzwords aren't actually all that different to the normal version. All formulas in Ireland, including the standard ones, have to meet strict nutritional guidelines. He explained: 'We always have the standard or basic ones, but then a lot of the time the first formulas the baby needs over the first year, all of the brands would have an additional expensive label - labelled as gold and advanced or organic, and it's usually significantly costlier than the standard formula. "Those things do not have proven health benefits for babies [but] they're often advertised as potentially better for the baby's development, better for the baby's immune system [and says that] it can boost this, that or the other.' But there is no scientific basis behind this, and according to a recent study, there was very little to be found to support the claims made. Advertisement He explained: 'They looked at all of these claims on these labels and over 80 per cent of the time, no study could be linked to the claim - and even when they found something it was either an opinion piece or something that was done by the formula companies themselves.' Regarding organic formulas, while parents might believe it will be better for their baby and contain fewer pesticides - there is actually no difference. Dr El-Khuffash explained: 'We always attribute the word organic to foodstuff that is being better looked after and cleaner with less pesticides. "But it's important to highlight to parents that in the European Union in particular, there are such strict guidelines on how formula needs to be prepared and the level of pesticide that is allowed in formula - which is 0, and that includes standard formulas that aren't labeled as organic.' Instead, he advises to go for the standard formula as there is no real need for the advanced, organic or gold labelled products, noting: 'The standard ones are more than enough.' Advertisement OXYGEN & HEART MONITORING DEVICES One of the biggest fears parents have, especially in the months following the delivery, is of SIDS - Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Now, there are products on the market that can be worn as a sock, clipped onto the baby's nappy or around their abdomen that keeps track of their breathing, oxygen levels and heart rates. 7 He urged parents to avoid these 'safety' products Despite being marketed as safety devices, it can in fact have the opposite effect and increase anxiety for the parents. Dr El-Khuffash explained: 'They are pitched as devices that can alleviate anxiety and give parents peace of mind that the baby is doing well all the time. I have a huge problem with those for general use because one of the biggest fears parents have, especially over the first few months following delivery, is the risk of SIDS. Advertisement "All of the studies done to date on these commercial devices have shown no evidence that these devices can actually prevent SIDS in babies, all they do is cause false alarms, raising anxiety levels in parents,' Not only this, but it can also lead to parents reacting by bringing their baby to the GP or the emergency department, which can put another strain on their wallets. Dr El-Khuffash also noted that it can raise doubt in the parent's minds regarding their ability to look after and monitor their baby. He added: 'Studies show that they can actually sometimes miss when real events occur. "I know a lot of parents want to do the best for their babies in terms of monitoring, but these devices are no good.' Advertisement But when it comes to cameras in a cot to keep an eye on your little one, Dr El-Khuffash is all for it if it makes parents feel more comfortable. MULTIVITAMINS A lot of parents may now start to look into vitamins in the run-up to kids heading back to school or going to a crèche for the first time - which is often how multivitamins are advertised. Many of those on offer may promise to help your little ones when it comes to avoiding new bugs going around, but Dr El-Khuffash has debunked this. 7 In most cases, multivitamins are not needed unless prescribed He explained: 'Nothing can boost your baby's immune system - what you can do is support the healthy development of your baby's immune system. The one vitamin that all babies in Ireland need is vitamin D because our sunlight isn't enough for healthy bone development, it's a vitamin that we cannot make in our body without exposure to sunlight and it's not a vitamin that we can get from food, so we do need supplementation. Advertisement 'There isn't a recommendation for multi vitamins for most healthy children that are eating a balanced diet unless advised by a healthcare provider for specific needs.' And in fact, over supplementing can be harmful - especially when ones marketed to children are full of sweeteners and sugar to make them taste nicer. He added that while vitamin D is needed for children in Ireland, you don't need a cocktail of others added to it unless a doctor prescribes them. BABY TOYS TO BOOST DEVELOPMENT One of the biggest markets is for children's toys, and some can cost a huge amount of money. Some toys are branded to help with your child's development, which may tempt the parents to buy it because they want the best for their child. Advertisement 7 Babies will get the same enjoyment from cheaper toys But according to Dr El-Khuffash, parents don't have to splash out on the more expensive brands that promise this, and there are many cheaper alternatives. He explained: 'We know from studies that everyday household items like pots and spoons - you give your baby a present and they're playing with the cardboard box rather than the toy itself, and all of these things will stimulate your baby's imagination. 'They don't need elaborate toys to help bring their development along, the most important thing for an infant's development is the interaction they have with the parent, so engaging with your babies, spending time with your babies and activities that you and I would think are mundane will be very interesting to young babies. 'I would skip the €50 or €100 flashy toy or cards - a game of peekaboo is as enjoyable for your baby as these expensive toys that are marketed to boost the baby's development.' Advertisement BABY SHOES FOR PRE-WALKERS This is one that, according to Dr El-Khuffash, many parents (including himself) have fallen into the trap of. In almost every store you'll see some adorable baby shoes that everyone loves to see the child wearing before they can even walk. 7 Shoes for babies who can't walk yet could hinder their development But not only are they not necessary, but they could also hinder your babies growth. He explained: 'Everybody loves these really cute baby shoes that are sold to babies before they are walking - they're actually unnecessary and can maybe hinder the baby's development. Advertisement "Babies need to be barefoot to help build foot muscle and balance coordination - the tactile sensation of feet on different surfaces are all important things for a baby in order for them to develop, so I would maybe avoid buying shoes for babies before they're walking.' For warmth, he recommends using socks or soft booties, but staying away from the mini trainers.
