Kildare councillor calls for ‘immediate transparency and accountability’ from Children's Health Ireland

A Kildare county councillor has called for 'immediate transparency and accountability' from Children's Health Ireland (CHI).

It follows after an external review into spinal surgery at Temple Street Children's Hospital was ordered by the Health Service Executive (HSE) yesterday following a number of poor outcomes, including the death of one child.

Both An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (who is a former doctor) and An Tánaiste Micheál Martin have expressed concern over the news.

Today, Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender has called on the CHI for full disclosure and accountability.

He said: "The events that have come to light are deeply distressing.

"My heartfelt condolences go to the family of the child who tragically lost their life, and my thoughts are with those families dealing with the aftermath of severe complications."

The Newbridge-based representative continued: "The public and the affected families deserve clear answers about what transpired at Temple Street, including who was aware of these mishaps and when they knew."

Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender. File photograph.

Responding to reports that surgeries were halted after a journalist's inquiry last year, Cllr Pender expressed concern: "It's deeply troubling if it took external scrutiny to unveil such significant issues... Was the Health Minister fully informed at the time of these events? If not, we must question why."

Cllr Pender also highlighted his concerns about the alleged obscured timeline of the events, the alleged use of unlicensed medical devices, and allegations about device components possibly being sourced from a DIY store: "How were such grave oversights permitted to occur under CHI's watch?

"The public deserves answers, and those responsible must be held accountable."

Commenting the alleged challenges of whistleblowing, Cllr Pender comments, “It's alarming to think that a culture might exist within CHI that prevents staff from raising internal alarms.

"Such environments are detrimental to patient care and safety and must be rectified.”

He also said: "With multiple reviews underway and more announced, CHI must ensure transparency in their findings.

"They must also provide details on when spinal surgeries at Temple Street will recommence.

"The families and the public at large deserve nothing less than full transparency, immediate action, and accountability," Cllr Pender concluded.