After weeks of speculation, the chief executive of Tallaght Hospital has resigned. Dr David McCutcheon presented his letter of resignation to the hospital board at a meeting last night.
It was accepted with "the utmost regret", by the chairwoman of the board, Ms Rosemary French. A board statement praised the chief executive, saying it wished to put on record its profound gratitude for his contribution to the hospital.
The resignation follows months of conflict between Dr McCutcheon and the Department of Health over the hospital budget. The relationship between Dr McCutcheon, the Minister for Health, Mr Cowen, and Department officials is said to have been very strained. Department officials believe the board and the chief executive overspent by millions without Department sanction. The Minister eventually ordered a report on the running of the hospital.
Last night Mr Cowen told The Irish Times he did not wish to make any comment on Dr McCutcheon's resignation. He said he had been unaware it was about to take place. It is understood Dr McCutcheon prepared the resignation letter some weeks ago.
It is believed he states in it that he feels disappointed and "let down" by the Department of Health and that he had received commitments which were not honoured by the Department. He was particularly under strain arising from the Deloitte & Touche report ordered by the Minister. Dr McCutcheon will leave his post on April 2nd.
The Irish Times reported last week that Dr McCutcheon was unhappy with the 1999 budget and was concerned that he would not be able to run the hospital properly. He had intended tendering his resignation last Tuesday but held off until last night. If he had stayed on, Dr McCutcheon would have been joined by a team of three, as recommended in the Deloitte & Touche report, to oversee his management, two nominated by Mr Cowen and the third by the hospital board. Hospital chief felt position had be- come untenable: page 2