TD's alarm over HIQA inspection delay of Mayo University Hospital

A Mayo TD has criticised the government’s handling of the health sector after it conceded that no inspection of Mayo University Hospital has been carried out in 2021 to date.

Deputy Rose Conway Walsh hit out: “It is not good enough that no inspection has been carried out this year of Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar.

“Meanwhile, not a day goes by that patients and their families contact my office about distressing experiences they have had in Mayo University Hospital.

"Many dedicated staff working under extreme pressure are at breaking point.

“Next Wednesday will mark a year since the last HIQA inspection.

"In terms of how hospitals ensure that infection prevention and control outbreak/s including Covid-19, are managed to protect people, the inspection found that the hospital was non-compliant. Non-compliant is the lowest in the assessment.

“It is an abdication of responsibility to think that no follow-up inspection was carried out during a year of the pandemic in relation to infection prevention and outbreak control to ensure the appropriate changes were made.

“In recent weeks we have seen reports of a 162% increase in outpatient waiting list at Mayo University Hospital over six years, the highest August trolley numbers in 15 years, and reports in the media of deteriorating patient treatment.

“People are losing confidence in the health service and the government ability to address their concerns.

“I have written to the Minister for Health to express my alarm at the situation and call on him to instruct HIQA to carry out an inspection as a matter of urgency."