‘We need accountability & transparency', warns Dail health watchdog as CHI to face grilling over series of scandals
THE HEAD of the Dail's health watchdog has warned bosses at underfire Children's Health Ireland that full accountability and transparency is needed when they face TDs and Senators later this week.
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.
Read more in News
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.
Most read in the Irish Sun
'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.
1
CHI's CEO Lucy Nugent is among those set to be grilled
Credit: PR Handout image
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘We need accountability & transparency', warns Dail health watchdog as CHI to face grilling over series of scandals
THE HEAD of the Dail's health watchdog has warned bosses at underfire Children's Health Ireland that full accountability and transparency is needed when they face TDs and Senators later this week. 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. Read more in News 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. Most read in the Irish Sun '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. 1 CHI's CEO Lucy Nugent is among those set to be grilled Credit: PR Handout image
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
The 6 ‘healthy' foods sabotaging your weight loss and making you HUNGRIER – are you guilty?
WHILE many foods are marketed as helpful for weight loss, some can actually hinder your efforts, warns a doctor. So-called "healthy" foods are seen on diet plans, in health blogs, or promoted on social media as smart choices. Advertisement 3 'Healthy' foods aren't always what they seem - they could actually make you eat more But they may actually backfire when it comes to fat loss, says Professor Franklin Joseph, consultant physician and head of That's because these foods could be making you feel hungrier - and not helping you slim down. "People often assume that if something is marketed as low-fat, sugar-free, or natural, it must be good for weight loss," said Professor Joseph. "But in reality, many of these foods trigger hunger, cravings and overeating." Advertisement There are six foods in particular Prof Joseph says you should look to avoid - and he also advises what to eat instead. Sugar-free sweets and gum While these might save you calories upfront, sugar-free snacks are often packed with artificial sweeteners that can confuse your appetite signals, said Prof Joseph. He added: "They create a sweet taste without calories, which can increase cravings and make you want to eat more." Fruit smoothies Smoothies are often seen as a healthy option, but they're a fast track to hunger for many people. Advertisement Most read in Diet & Nutrition Prof Joseph explained: "Blending fruit strips away the fibre that slows digestion, meaning you get a White carbs labelled as low-fat Think white toast, rice cakes or low-fat crackers here. I lost half a stone eating cold chips "These are quickly digested, low in fibre and protein, and do little to keep you full," warned Prof Joseph. "You burn through them quickly and end up hungrier than you were before." Advertisement Nut butters (in excess) 3 Nut butters can be very easy to overeat Credit: Getty Nut butters can be healthy in moderation, but they're calorie-dense and very easy to overeat, said Prof Joseph. He added: "People assume they're filling because of the fat content, but without enough fibre or protein alongside, they often leave you wanting more." Granola and protein bars A lot of so-called healthy snack bars are glorified candy bars with a health halo , in Prof Joseph's eyes. Advertisement He said: "They may contain protein, but they're often high in sugar and low in real satiety." Rice cakes 3 Rice cakes provide very little nutritional value Credit: Getty Rice cakes are commonly marketed as a low-calorie snack, but they're basically just He advised: "They don't fill you up, so you end up eating several and still feeling hungry." Advertisement So what should you eat instead? Focus on high-fibre carbs, lean protein and foods that take longer to digest, said Prof Joseph. Read more on the Irish Sun This includes foods like lentils, oats, beans, Greek yoghurt and eggs, which keep you fuller for longer and help support steady fat loss. He added: "If you're constantly hungry on your diet, it's a sign your body isn't being fuelled properly - and swapping out these six foods can make a big difference." Other things that could be sabotaging your weight loss Poor dietary choices Foods like white bread, pasta, and pastries are quickly digested, leading to rapid blood sugar spikes and crashes, which can trigger cravings and overeating. Sodas, sweetened teas, and juices are high in calories and sugar, offering little nutritional value and contributing to weight gain. And ultra-processed foods are often high in unhealthy fats, sodium, and sugar, while lacking essential nutrients. Lifestyle factors Sleep deprivation disrupts hormones that regulate appetite, potentially increasing cravings and hindering weight loss. Stress can trigger emotional eating and lead to unhealthy food choices. While diet is crucial, regular exercise helps burn calories, build muscle, and improve overall health. Fad diets are often unsustainable and can be harmful in the long run. Incorrect portion sizes Even healthy foods can lead to weight gain if consumed in excess. Social influences Friends and family can unintentionally sabotage weight loss efforts through pressure to eat certain foods or participate in unhealthy activities. Lack of support Having a strong support system is crucial for staying motivated and on track.
Extra.ie
14 hours ago
- Extra.ie
‘CHI's lack of leadership fed a culture of bullying': Audit summary lambasts poor management
A lack of 'strong leadership and good governance' at Children's Health Ireland (CHI) fed a culture of bullying within the body and allowed for the mismanagement of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), an internal audit has found. A summary of a 2022 review into CHI, published yesterday, found certain clinics funded by the NTPF did not adhere to the standard of seeing the longest-waiting patients first. It indicated patients at CHI hospitals could have been seen by other departmental colleagues within the existing day-to-day services and 'potentially managed in a more proactive way'. Pic: Getty Images The report also highlights that 'interpersonal difficulties among team members led to poor working relationships and a challenging working environment' within CHI, which had the potential to put children receiving treatment at risk. The NTPF was established to help tackle lengthy waiting lists for public hospitals by arranging external treatments or insourcing within hospitals themselves. It has come under intense scrutiny after it emerged that a CHI consultant breached HSE guidelines by referring some of his public patients to his weekend private clinics. It is understood he earned up to €35,800 through the NTPF in the process. Pic: File The finding was contained in an unpublished review at CHI, which was leaked to the media. CHI said that it cannot publish the full internal investigation, citing legal advice. Auditors uncovered several issues in relation to an NTPF outpatient waiting-list initiative over the course of the probe. The examination suggested that, based on the documentation review, certain NTPF-funded clinics did not adhere to standards of chronological scheduling. Patients seen in the outpatient clinic who required ongoing treatment were placed on an already long inpatient waiting list without consideration of redistribution of patients to colleagues with a shorter waiting list. The examination raised the issue as to the possibility that this could have led to any negative outcomes for patients. The review also found a high attrition rate among support staff due to bullying issues. Most of those interviewed described a culture where change was slow, lacked governance and robust processes, and was influenced by strong and challenging personalities. Sinn Féin's health spokesman said the 'shocking' details of the report must be put on the public record, adding: 'The summary is not enough'. 'Public trust in CHI is at an all-time low. The identity of individuals who contributed to the report can and should be protected where appropriate but not used as an excuse to keep the details under wraps,' the Waterford TD said. On choosing to publish a summary, CHI said the report came from an internal examination that was never intended to be made public. It said it was important that its staff feel safe to engage in such processes which result in service reports.
