Chief executive of UHL steps aside pending disiplinary action

Campaigners have expressed concern about University Hospital Limerick (UHL) staff facing disciplinary proceedings over the death of Aoife Johnston continuing to work in hospitals.

The Sunday Independent revealed the chief executive of UHL, Colette Cowan is facing disciplinary action relating to the death of the Shannon teenager in the overcrowded emergency department (ED) in December 2022.

The newspaper reported that Ms Cowan has stepped aside from her position as a condition of the disciplinary process pending the outcome of the investigation.

The Sunday Independent story said that she is one of three senior figures in the hospital who, it is understood, were notified of disciplinary proceedings. In addition, three other staff members may also face disciplinary proceedings, the newspaper reported.

The developments were set in train in recent weeks by HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster. He is understood to have initiated the disciplinary process shortly after he received a report on the 16-year-old’s death by former Chief Justice Frank Clarke.

Aoife, aged 16, was admitted to ED in UHL with suspected sepsis in December 2022. She died after waiting more than 12 hours for the treatment that could have saved her life. An inquest in April found her death was due to medical misadventure.

A HSE spokesperson said “no comment” when contacted by Clare Live about the story on Sunday.

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Ms Cowan went on leave in early February amid a week of record levels of overcrowding in UHL. It is not known the exact date that she returned to work but it is understood she was involved in the Regional Health Forum West meeting which took place on March 26.

The Mid West Hospital Campaign, in a statement, welcomed Ms Cowan stepping aside as a result of the disciplinary process.  

“We are concerned that there are others facing action who we presume are still operating within the hospital and UL Hospitals Group. This is of concern to us.

“What cannot be forgotten is that the events of December 19, 2022 did not happen in isolation. There have been many families who have suffered in that ED as a result of overcrowding both before that date and sadly since,” said a spokesperson. 

Melanie Cleary, whose daughter Eve died in 2019 having being discharged from UHL ED with a blood clot in her lung, said: "The voices of the people of Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary have long been ignored in their efforts to raise awareness of the appalling and subhuman conditions for patients who have had to attend the ED and wait for hours and even days.

"Often while extremely ill often with no one to advocate for them. Their time spent there is not always on trolleys, oftentimes it is just chairs or even standing."

The Mid West Hospital Campaign said their fears and concerns for the people of the Mid-West region have been further increased by some recent decisions made by Stephen Donnelly, HSE and UHL management.

"These include the decision to cancel many appointments and surgeries with a day’s notice. These cancellations began on August 7 and to date are still ongoing. There has been a notable absence of comment from TDs and senators and the huge impact it is having on so many people right across the region,” said the spokesperson.

The Mid West Hospital Campaign say their thoughts are with the family of Aoife Johnston who were “promised so much” by Stephen Donnelly, Bernard Gloster, and HSE management. 

“The words of the Johnston’s family solicitor Damien Tansey: ‘The Johnston family are profoundly disappointed that Mr Gloster, having assured the family that Mr Clarke would be unfettered in the manner in which the investigation was to be conducted... He said it would be evidence-based and Mr Clarke would have the right to go wherever the evidence takes him,” Mr Tansey told the Sunday Independent. 

“Despite his assurances, we learn through the report that Mr Clarke cannot make findings of fact, that he cannot resolve conflict and he cannot make any finding against any specific person or group.” They ( (the Johnston family ) have learned nothing new from Mr Clarke’s report.

The Mid West Hospital Campaign concluded by saying a report that promised so much has “not only let the Johnston family down, it has let the entire communities of Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary down who have no choice other than to use  UHL in emergencies”.  

“The Johnston family have had to endure intolerable pain in their quest for justice. Sadly, like for many who have gone before them, they have been failed again.”

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