Health Committee to call HSE and Medical Missionary reps to discuss Shine case

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has welcomed the decision of the Oireachtas Health Committee to unanimously support her motion to call before it representatives from the HSE and the Medical Missionaries of Mary to discuss the fallout from the Michael Shine abuse case at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

“There was a very welcome development in the Shine case earlier this week, when victims reached a multi-million euro settlement with the Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMM), which ran Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital when the alleged abuse took place. 

“However a number of questions remain. The HSE needs to explain what changes in practices and processes have been implemented at the hospital in light of the striking off of Mr Shine. The public needs to be reassured that patient safety concerns are being adequately addressed.

“I want to ask the HSE whether its new standards on patient safety are being implemented at the Lourdes Hospital, and what steps the Executive is taking to prevent something like the Shine case from ever happening against. We need to know if further changes are required.

“The MMM have a serious case to answer. The order needs to explain what happened to the IR£1 million fund which was set up as part of an agreement to sell the hospital to the then North Eastern Health Board. The fund was intended to meet the needs of victims of Michael Shine, but it is unclear what has happened to the money.

“The MMM also need to explain why they consistently failed to act in the best interests of the victims. It is a sad fact that the actions of a few have tarnished the reputations of many within the order. 

“I look forward to vigorously addressing these issues with both the HSE and the MMM when they appear before the Committee.”

Committee on Health and Children presents report on Children First Bill to Minister

The Committee on Health and Children today presented its report on a key piece of legislation on Children’s Rights to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald TD. 

Earlier in the year, the Minister sent the Heads of the Bill, which aims to put Children First: National
Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children on a statutory basis, to the Oireachtas Committee
on Health and Children for consultation before the Bill is finalised.

“Over the past two months the Committee undertook an extensive consultation process by engaging

 with key stakeholders through receiving submissions and holding public hearings. 

“It is in the interest of all in society, all children and parents that the Children First legislation is practical and effective. It must deliver a reformed child protection regime. We protect children by making sure that concerns are acted on, not ignored. The observations and recommendations in this report are intended to inform and guide the drawing up of the Children First legislation.”

The report recommends that the Bill:

· reflects the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and be consistent throughout in using the "best interests of the child" criterion for actions taken to protect children.
· be implemented on a phased basis so that services and organisations are not overwhelmed, and to allow initial difficulties to be identified and resolved.
· be drafted so that its provisions, terminology, definitions and offences mesh seamlessly proposed and existing legislation related to reporting and prosecuting abuse. 
· gives equal recognition to the need to report emotional abuse as well as other types of abuse. 
· Defines and clarifies the term "sexual abuse" in and provisions requiring reporting be clarified. 
· the organisations that are covered by the Bill should be carefully reviewed. 
· includes a specific provision for Designated Officers to be vetted 
· should ensure that reporting criteria and thresholds are set at appropriate levels so that trivial matters do not add unnecessary work or cause unwarranted stress and anxiety. 

The report also recommends that the State invests substantially in resources, including personnel, training, support and feedback to support the implementation of the Bill, particularly in the early stages.

Access short video clip of Chairman of the Committee Jerry Buttimer TD introducing the report:http://youtu.be/ofsMo1FgsRI


Access Report: http://bit.ly/MLtc97

Centra’s Children’s Allowance Deal shows self-regulation is not working

Fine Gael Meath East TD and member of the Joint Committee on Health and Children, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) criticised the supermarket chain Centra for including alcohol in a Children’s Allowance Day deals promotion, saying that the incident proves self-regulation of the sale of alcohol is not working. 

“This is an incredibly irresponsible approach from one of the country’s best known retailers. I find it impossible to understand how Centra would deem it appropriate to link cheap alcohol with a social welfare payment designed to support children. Children’s Allowance is just that; an allowance for parents to spend on their children. It’s extremely distasteful to suggest it should be spent on cheap alcohol.

“Centra is blatantly abusing the standards on the responsible promotion of alcohol. This case further underlines the fact that self-regulation of the industry is not working. We have become accustomed to large retailers selling alcohol below cost as a means to attract customers, but this is a new low. 

“I understand that Centra has now withdrawn the flyers. But I think the firm should also apologise for this ill-advised marketing strategy. Retailers have repeatedly shown that they are incapable of acting responsibly when it comes to the sale of alcohol. 

“The damage that alcohol inflicts on society cannot be underestimated. According to the Department of Health, the cost to Irish society of alcohol related problems is currently in excess of €3.5 billion a year. It’s estimated that alcohol plays a role in more than 50% of all suicides here. Tackling this problem is one of the biggest challenges facing us today, from a health, societal and economic point of view. 

“The Government is working on regulations to directly address the issue. I believe a ban on below cost selling and restrictions on advertising multi-pack offers and irresponsible promotions like this one will be a progressive way of addressing this problem.”

New Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council

Big congrats to my friend Cllr Niamh McGowan on her election as Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council today, only the 3rd lady Chair

Doherty welcomes major breakthrough on bank debt

If we took SF’s approach we couldn’t have secured deal

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Monday) welcomed the major breathrough through on bank debt secured at last week’s EU Summit in Brussels. Deputy Doherty added that we couldn’t have gotten to this point if we followed Sinn Féin’s approach to Europe.

“The deal reached by the Taoiseach and other EU leaders in the early hours of the morning on Friday is a major step forward for Ireland. It means will we be able to break the link between bank debt and the public finances; something the Taoiseach has been advocating for some time. 

“The Irish taxpayer was saddled with the huge cost of bailing out the banks in the deal agreed by the previous government. Now, thanks to the new agreement, banks will be directly recapitalised by the ESM, Europe’s new bailout fund. It is envisaged that this will be applied to Ireland retrospectively, which represents a huge shift in Ireland’s favour. 

“Sinn Féin was quick out of the traps after the deal was announced, describing it as a ‘bitter disappointment’. This is an incredibly transparent and cynical approach. Sinn Féin made these comments without seeing any of the details, which are still to be worked out. This work will begin in just a week’s time, when the Finance Ministers meet on July 9th. 

“The reality is that the Government has made a huge breakthrough, which will greatly enhance Ireland’s chance of exiting our current bailout, getting back into the money markets, and regaining control of our own affairs. And there is little doubt that we could not have got to this point if we followed Sinn Féin’s approach to Europe and the economy. 

“Sinn Féin wanted us to reject the Stability Treaty, which would have cut us off from the ESM, the very fund that is now going to be used to bail out the banks. Sinn Féin’s approach to Europe is purely based on self-promotion. Through a concerted campaign of co-operation, negotiation and engagement, this Government has delivered a better deal for the Irish people, as promised under the Programme for Government.

“There is still a lot of work to do, but we have made a major step in the right direction. A focus on growth coupled with a fairer deal on our bank debt will help Ireland to get back on the road to recovery.”

Doherty calls for link up between local Meals on Wheels and new HSE health eating initiative

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Tuesday) called for the Ratoath Meals on Wheels service, of which she is chairperson, to be linked up with a new locally developed HSE initiative aimed at encouraging healthy eating amongst older people. 

“This new project being run by the HSE is a result of collaboration with Third Age in Summerhill and aims to tackle the problem of malnutrition amongst older people. It’s estimated the problem costs the State about €1.5 billion every year due to longer hospital stays and increased GP visits.

“The findings on the eating habits of older people are stark; one in three older people admitted to hospital are at risk of malnutrition. The ‘Eating Well into the Future’ project aims to identify nutritional concerns at an early stage, explore practical solutions, and deliver helpful information about nutrition.

“The health and nutrition programme will be delivered to older people in the community, with a pilot scheme due to begin in Co Meath. I am encouraging the scheme’s operators to consider incorporating it with the local Meals on Wheels service in Ratoath, which delivers three mornings a week. 

“The Meals on Wheels service has built up a long standing relationship with the older people we serve, and I think it would be an ideal channel to deliver this new educational and health eating support programme.

“I would like to commend Third Age for the work on establishing the project, and I hope this locally developed initiative can be turned into a national success.”

Foróige Youth Expo 2012

National Journey Planner will make public transport a lot easier

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has  urged commuters across Co. Meath to check out the National Transport Authority’s new Journey Planner, which allows you to plan door-to-door journeys on public transport to and from any location across the country. 

“I’m delighted this service has gone live; it is the sort of system that is the norm in lots of other countries and it’s great to see the National Transport Authority taking the initiative to get it up and running here. It’s an extremely useful service, and I hope it will encourage more and more people to opt for public transport. 

“The Journey Planner is really easy to use. Simply log on to www.TransportforIreland.ie and enter the details of your journey; where you are and where you want to go to. You will be then be given a full route plan of the best public transport options, including any walking needed to get to the bus stop or the train station. 

“The system covers all 26 counties and all operators; bus, rail, taxis, ferries and private operators. That means it includes 9,600 bus stops, 750 different routes, 152 train stations, and information from 120 different transport providers.  Printed timetables are also available.

“The new site will be a great resource for regular commuters and people who just use public transport for time to time. As well as the website, there is an App available for Android phones, with an iPhone App coming very soon. 
  
“The National Transport Authority has plans to expand the service even further to include fare information, Real Time Passenger Information inputs and a cycle planner. The NTA is keen to get feedback for local people so they can fine-tune the service further. So why not log on to www.TransportforIreland.ie and check it out.” 

Ulster Bank must resolve technical issue without delay

HSE staff affected by bank glitch

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) moved to reassure HSE staff who have been left without their wages, as a result of technical problems at Ulster Bank. Deputy Doherty has also called on the Bank to resolve the issues without delay.

“Concerns have been expressed to me this morning that there was some sort of problem within the HSE that led to workers not being paid. Let me state categorically; workers were not paid due to technical problems with the HSE’s clearing bank, Ulster Bank.

“The HSE is contacting employees today to reassure them that the problem is being addressed by Ulster Bank. 

“It is essential that Ulster Bank resolves this problem as quickly as possible. According to the Bank, it may now be tomorrow before it is rectified. That is completely unsatisfactory to those who have been left with no pay.

“The Bank needs to explain what contingency plans it has in place ahead of the weekend. I understand that HSE staff who are paid on a weekly basis – as well as some social welfare claimants – are among those affected. These people don’t have cash reserves that they can dip into when required; they need their payments, and they need them now.”

Doherty calls for Health Committee to invite Medical Missionaries of Mary and HSE to discuss Dr Shine case

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) tabled a motion to the Oireachtas Health Committee calling for an invitation to be extended to the Medical Missionaries of Mary and the HSE North East to come before the Committee to discuss changes in practices being implemented in light of the conviction of Dr Michael Shine. 

Deputy Doherty’s motion was seconded by Sinn Féin Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, and is due to be discussed at the Committee next week.

“I was glad to receive the support of Deputy Ó Caoláin on this issue. The people of the North East deserve a full account in relation to what changes in practises and processes are being implemented as a result of the conviction of Dr Michael Shine for the sexual abuse of patients and the removal of his licence by the Irish Medical Organisation.

“I look forward to discussing this issue in full next week, and I hope to receive the support of the other Committee members, so an invite can be issued.”