Galway Hospice is at the centre of a new crisis after a formal allegation of bullying was lodged by the majority of its nursing staff against the hospice's clinical director.
A nine-page report, a copy of which has been seen by The Irish Times, has been forwarded by legal representatives for Galway Hospice to the Health Service Executive (Western) Area, requesting a response within seven days. The HSE and hospice management representatives met in Galway yesterday. The HSE said it hoped to issue a joint statement today with Galway Hospice.
A spokesman for the hospice said last night the priority for all concerned was that patients would remain at the hospice and services would continue to be provided by it. The report was signed by 22 of the hospice's 26 nursing staff and comes just nine months after the hospice resumed admissions to the 12-bed unit.
The hospice was closed to all new admissions in May 2003 following concerns expressed by clinical director Dr Dympna Waldron over medication issues.
An independent review published in March of last year recommended a series of protocols, which have since been put into place. Admissions resumed last August, and the HSE gave an undertaking to seek a locum, who would work alongside Dr Waldron, as the hospice is a consultant-led service.
However, a separate investigation by the former Western Health Board, now the HSE (Western) Area, into claims of bullying made by nursing staff was said to be "continuing" last year. This report is being written, according to the HSE.
The new claims of bullying relate primarily to treatment by Dr Waldron of the hospice's home-care team, which had continued to work with seriously and terminally ill patients throughout the last crisis.
The nurses have called for an "immediate investigation" within an expedient timeframe into instances of bullying which they outlined. The nurses sought representation from the Irish Nurses' Organisation, and the INO has written to management to confirm that it will be representing its members. The nurses outlined 12 instances in their report, occurring on dates between October, 2003 and late February 2005.
It is understood that Dr Waldron has been made aware of the complaints. The Irish Hospital Consultants' Association said yesterday that Dr Waldron would make no comment, but medical care for all patients at the hospice would continue. The association's spokesman could not confirm whether this care would continue at the hospice or at University College Hospital, Galway where the hospice's clinical director is based.
When the clinical director stopped referring all new admissions to the hospice because of medical concerns in May 2003, would-be hospice patients were treated at the hospital.
