Micheál Martin expresses confidence in CUH chief Jennifer Kearney

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has expressed confidence in the chief executive of Cork University Hospital (CUH) but raised concerns about the “atmosphere” there in light of ongoing conflicts around staffing.

It comes amid reports that transitional care beds at the nearby St Finbarr’s, which were used to alleviate hospital overcrowding, have been closed.

Concern about staffing in CUH were raised in a letter from hospital chief executive Jennifer Kearney to HSE management in August. She said the hospital would not be safe going into winter under current staffing levels.

Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has repeatedly dismissed these concerns, saying that the hospital has hired twice as many people as had been budgeted for.

Asked if he had full confidence in Ms Kearney, the Taoiseach said, “Yes”, but added: “I’m concerned in terms of the reports I’m hearing in respect of meetings being taped and recorded, and then comments being made that have now been retracted.”

A recording of a HSE meeting emerged in which HSE South West chief Andy Phillips said he had been asked by the offices of the Taoiseach and Minister for Health to have “very specific” conversations with CUH management.

Mr Martin had initially denied that his office was referenced, and said after the recording was publicised that he had been relying on a draft statement prepared by Mr Phillips, who has since apologised, saying no such instruction had been made to him.

Mr Martin said: “All of that, from an atmosphere point of view, is something that needs to be reflected on by all concerned. 

"There does appear to be tensions between the hospital itself and HSE in the region.” 

72 people on trolleys at CUH

There were 72 people being treated on trolleys in CUH on Tuesday.

Sources connected to the hospital have said that between nine and 15 transitional care beds at St Finbarr’s on the Douglas Road have recently been closed.

Ms Kearney’s letter mentioned that the St Finbarr’s Rehabilitation Unit was one of several areas where staffing was needed.

She said: “Insufficient physiotherapy staffing is delaying patient rehabilitation and discharge, directly impacting CUH flow.” 

A new nursing home at St Finbarr’s is set to open in December, after around two years of delays.

Cork TD Thomas Gould recently expressed concern that the unit would not be open by the end of the year, due to HSE restrictions on hiring the staff needed.

Asked by The Echo if the beds were closed, a spokesperson said: “The Transitional Care Unit at St Finbarr’s Health campus is open, and there are patients in the unit today. The number of patients varies from day-to-day, as is standard in a unit of this kind.” 

 The HSE did not respond to a follow-on query asking to clarify if some, but not all, beds had been closed.