Facilities at a Dublin children's hospital were described yesterday by a member of its consultant staff as "of east European standard or less", writes Eithne Donnellan, Health Correspondent.
Prof Owen Smith, a consultant haematologist at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children Crumlin, said the situation was now so serious it could end up being scrutinised by another tribunal.
He said he had personally spoken to the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, and the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, about the "pathetic" infrastructure at Our Lady's.
"Everybody right up to the top is fully aware of the appalling conditions we are treating our children in at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin. The whole hospital is incredibly run down," he said. Prof Smith moved to Crumlin from Tallaght Hospital about 18 months ago when cancer services for all children in the State were centralised. He said the Eastern Regional Health Authority had provided funding for up to 40 staff for the new service but there was no progress on the infrastructure issue.
He said there were communal toilets which would not pass "any sort of hygiene inspection". Children whose immune systems were compromised needed their own rooms with en suite facilities, he said.
"The facilities are so run down we are talking of a standard you would see in Eastern Europe or less". Prof Smith said he believed the funding problem was at Department of Finance/Department of Health level.
It was very demoralising, he added, working in such conditions. Bad news had to be broken in corridors or in wards within earshot of other families.
Prof Smith pointed out that this practice had been strongly criticised in the Lindsay tribunal, yet families were hearing about their children's cancer in this way.
While some €30 million is currently being invested in new theatres, the Crumlin Hospital Action Group says the total investment needed is €350 million.The Department of Health said plans to develop the hospital were expected to be complete by the end of the year.