Health Minister considers inquiry investigation

Chris Donegan • Published 5 Nov 2009 09:00 0 Comments

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Minister of Health, Michael McGimpsey is considering whether to include investigations into Lucy Crawford's death in the O'Hara inquiry into hyponatraemia-related deaths in hospitals in Northern Ireland.

Lucy died in April 2000 following fatal errors at the Erne Hospital in adminstering fluid in a drip to the little girl.

Her death was one of a number being investigated by a public inquiry set up by then Health Minister, Angela Smyth under John O'Hara QC. Mr O'Hara announced some time ago that he had agreed to remove deliberations about Lucy's death frowm his inquiry.

This move was criticised by the family of Raychel Ferguson, the girl who died in the Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry.

However, the O'Hara inquiry has now revealed that Lucy's death may be investigated after all when they resume their work next year.

It is not known if this is linked to last week's verdict by the General Medical Council who found Dr. Jarleth O'Donohoe guilty of serious professional misconduct in his treatment of Lucy.

If Mr. McGimpsey does decide to include Lucy's death in the inquiry, it will open up the prospect of the doctor being back in the witness box.

And in another development, management at the Erne Hospital has refused to say whether or not it has confidence in Dr. Jarleth O'Donohoe after the General Medical Council found him guilty of serious professional misconduct.

The Western Trust continues to employ him as a consultant paediatrician at the Erne Hospital.

The Trust has also refused to support its nursing staff who were accused of being involved in a cover-up following the death of 17-month-old Lucy Crawford after she was given a fatal overdose of fluid at the Erne almost 10 years ago.

A GMC(General Medical Council) Fitness to Practice hearing found that Dr. O'Donohoe did not act in Lucy's best interests and his treatment of her fell below the standards to be expected of a reasonably competent consultant paediatrician.

During the course of the hearing Dr. O'Donohoe was highly critical of the Trust's predecessor, Sperrin Lakeland, the medical protocols it had in place and its refusal to fund medical care for children. Through his barristers he also severely criticised Trust staff, accusing nurses of being involved in a cover-up and one of them of lying on oath.

Asked if, in the light of the GMC's findings it still has confidence in Dr. O'Donohoe, the Trust refused to comment.

Although the GMC hearing was held in public and its findings published on its web site the Trust stated: "The Western Trust will not comment on individual employees for reasons of confidentiality."

It has not said whether it plans to take any disciplinary action against its consultant paediatrician.

It has also refused to say whether or not it accepted the criticisms of its staff, namely its nurses, and the allegations made against them.

"The Trust has co-operated fully and openly with the GMC at all stages of its investigation. We now await the full report on the findings of the GMC hearing which we will consider carefully," it stated.

"The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) issued guidelines on Reducing the Risk of Hyponatraemia(the cause of Lucy's death) when Administering Intravenous Infusions to Children (NPSA Alert 22) dated March 2007," it stated.

"The Western Trust is satisfied that the protocols and procedures in place are in accordance with these standards and guidance," the Trust added.

A statement on behalf of the O'Hara inquiry confirmed: "The current position is that the Minister for Health is considering whether or not the Inquiry's Terms of Reference (as amended) should be interpreted toinclude an investigation into the death of Lucy Crawford."

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 05 Nov 09

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