Health and safety executive levies fines for delayed treatment
The HSE conducted health and safety investigations finding that the hospital continuously delayed treatment for patients. The hospital has not been named, but it is being fined. Some patients have been waiting for more than a year to get treatment. The number of patients is high according to the health and safety audits conducted. Such behaviour for a hospital is not acceptable, stated the head of HSE’s Special Delivery Unit. Endangering patients due to holding off treatments is not acceptable. It could lead to further health complications or even death in the patient. The existence of this magnitude of ongoing wrongdoing is a serious breach.
The hospital will see a fine of at least €25,000 per month for the imposition the patient had to suffer. They could also be fined 100% of the premium of treating the patient. If the patient can be moved, they will be taken to a different hospital. This will also determine the amount of the fines the hospital will be paying. The statement released to the press came before the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation Annual Conference that the HSE worker had a speech prepared for. The conference staff members were even talking with the hospital to hold the conference there, but have decided that is not the best idea considering the trouble they have found themselves in for blatantly ignoring safety and health issues of their patients.
