Statement by the IHCA on the publication of Justice Clarke report investigating the circumstances of Aoife Johnston’s death

 
We reiterate our deepest condolences to the Johnston family. Their daughter Aoife was failed by the healthcare system.  
 
Justice Frank Clarke’s report provides troubling and telling independent analysis.
 
On the night of Aoife’s death, the emergency department (ED) at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) was over three times its maximum patient capacity. Justice Clarke characterised the ED as “grossly overcrowded”.

He refers to a complete imbalance between the number of patients awaiting to be seen by a doctor and the actual number of doctors available at the time.
 
The normalisation of the abnormal pressures is also addressed by Justice Clarke when he states: “…there may be an unconscious acceptance of a level of challenge as normal, or at least, reasonably normal, when, in truth, the situation may be well beyond what might be objectively considered to fall within normal bounds.”    
 
Justice Clarke acknowledges a review of acute hospital services in the Midwest undertaken 15 years ago. The recommendations in that review were not followed. Meanwhile, the growing population in the Midwest region continues to strain an already overburdened emergency department.  

Transparency, collaboration, and swift action are essential to restoring trust in and within UHL. While some measures are being introduced, more urgent and informed actions are needed. These should be informed by Justice Clarke’s recommendations, not least his red flag that “there is little point in building additional capacity if it cannot be utilised in a sufficiently timely fashion because of the absence of staff.” 
 
ENDS  

For media enquiries, please contact: 
 
Darragh Duncan | darragh.duncan@finnpartners.com | (085) 121 5011