The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has expressed 'alarm' about the Government's response to concerns about the mortuary at Waterford University Hospital.
It emerged last week that four consultant pathologists at the hospital wrote to the HSE to say the Waterford mortuary was way over capacity.
Their letter stated: "Bodies decompose in the corridors, leading to closed-coffin funerals with relatives unable to view the remains as a result of gaseous decomposition."
In a statement this week, the hospital said there's no evidence to substantiate the claims.
South/South West Hospital Group acknowledged 'challenges' with the mortuary infrastructure, and again outlined its short and long-term plans to improve the situation.
However, the group said they haven't received an incident report form from any staff relating to the mortuary or any complaints from members of the public.
Those comments were echoed by the Taoiseach in Waterford yesterday.
He observed: "It's definitely a strange story - I don't know if those claims are true or not, but it doesn't seem there's any evidence to support them."
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says there’s no evidence to back up claims that dead bodies were left decomposing on trollers at University Hospital Waterford pic.twitter.com/wuWYNlbUNd
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) April 30, 2019
'Genuine issues and risks'
Today, IHCA President Dr Donal O’Hanlon said his organisation "fully supports" the consultant pathologists in Waterford.
In a statement, he said: "The response in recent days from health service management and the Government is disappointing as it has not focused on the risks and concerns highlighted by the consultant pathologists.
"It is clear that the consultants have, in the public interest, highlighted genuine issues and risks associated with the insufficiency of mortuary facilities."
Dr O'Hanlon called for a 'culture change' to ensure hospital workers are encouraged to disclose concerns.
He suggested that otherwise "the quality and safety of patient care is at risk and the fundamental consultant role of patient advocate will be undermined".
'Shocking and unacceptable'
Meanwhile, the Labour leader said he was taken aback by the Taoiseach's dismissal of the consultants' claims.
Speaking today, Brendan Howlin said: "[The four consultants] made that statement because they believe it to be true, because they know it to be true, because they're on the ground.
"For the Taoiseach to disparage them, to dismiss them in the way that he did... I found, to be honest with you, quite shocking and unacceptable."
Today, the Taoiseach denied calling the consultants liars.
Mr Varadkar insisted the facts surrounding the claims about the Waterford mortuary need to be established.
He argued: "What I said was a statement of fact - there is a dispute about what the true facts are."
