Doctor to give HSE ongoing check-ups
A doctor will manage the Health Service Executive's drive to improve patient safety and standards of care.
Dr Philip Crowley becomes the new National Director of Risk, Quality and Clinical Care next month, joining the HSE's senior management team.
He is being seconded from the Department of Health, where he is deputy chief medical officer.
Dr Crowley will have a key role in ensuring that hospitals and other health facilities implement the best standards of care.
The need for this new post has been highlighted in recent years as cases of cancer misdiagnosis, the removal of a wrong kidney in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, and the Tallaght Hospital x-ray scandal came to light.
High-profile cases like this have underlined the necessity to have checks and balances across the entire health service in place to minimise the danger of preventable accidents which can lead to injuries or death.
The appointment follows the decision to relieve another executive, Dr Barry White, of this element of responsibility to allow him to concentrate next year on implementing a series of proposals which it is hoped will lead to people with illnesses like heart disease and diabetes getting faster and better care across the country.
A spokeswoman for the HSE said yesterday that Dr Crowley's role would be "to ensure that our services are safe while reducing risk". She added: "Where serious incidents do arise, Dr Crowley will manage our response and implement appropriate measures in order to improve our systems."
HSE chief executive Cathal Magee said: "Dr Crowley brings a wealth of experience to this most critical role in the organisation.
Patients
"We need to ensure that our processes and protocols are effective in minimising risk to patients and clients and to improve quality of care."
Mr Magee said the appointment of a medical doctor to the management team would also help to enhance clinical leadership at the top level of the organisation.
A major government-sponsored report by the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance has yet to be implemented in full and its recommendations will have to be rolled out across a broad range of areas.
- Eilish O'Regan Health Correspondent
Irish Independent
