‘We need accountability & transparency', warns Dail health watchdog as CHI to face grilling over series of scandals
The body that runs our children's
The latest issue to hit CHI saw an internal report reveal a culture of
This shocking report also unveiled problems with the handling of waiting lists that resulted in some children being left waiting too long for much needed surgeries that they could have got from other doctors.
CEO Lucy Nugent, ex-chief Eilish Hardiman, clinical director Ike Okafor, and Head of Spinal Surgery David Moore are set to face the
Watchdog chairman Padraig Rice has warned CHI bosses that he will demand full accountability and transparency when they come before TDs and Senators.
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He told the Irish Sun: 'We need to see some accountability and transparency.
'We need them to start answering some of the questions we're putting to them and we need to see a culture change.
'There are lots of things that do need to change at CHI.
'They are going to be responsible for the transfer to the National Children's Hospital – one of the largest health infrastructure and capital projects in the history of the State.
Most read in the Irish Sun
'We have to ensure that we're handing the keys of that hospital to a safe pair of hands and that it will be managed well.
'There have been a series of scandals and a series of issues with CHI and I think there are serious questions for CHI on how it is being managed, the internal culture, the internal communications, the working arrangements there, bullying.
'You are going to have to remove me from this Chamber,' Senator shouts as fury sparked over surgery waiting lists
'They have a lot of issues to address and a lot of that starts with changing that culture and core to that is transparency and accountability not just to the Oireachtas but to parents and to families.'
The Social Democrats TD said that 'trust in CHI is on the floor for parents' and he believes the leaders of the State body need to work to restore that trust.
Our Kids Can't Wait Campaign
WAITING lists in Ireland have long been a national disgrace.
More than 106,000 children are on hospital waiting lists for all treatments. However, a new source of shame has emerged as 327 children wait for life changing spinal surgeries.
Their conditions are getting worse while they languish on waiting lists.
Such are the delays, many child patients will be outside the therapeutic window when their treatments are approved.
Earlier this month, the Seanad heard how at least one child has become permanently paralysed since the issue was raised publicly before Christmas.
Their plight has been spearheaded by campaigning Senator Tom Clonan, who himself has a child with a disability.
Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has even admitted that the health service is failing these kids.
Children are being allowed to deteriorate due to mismanagement, which has allowed the waiting lists to grow.
The Irish Sun's Kids Can't Wait campaign aims to shine a light on how the State is failing sick children and give their families a voice.
It will also force the Government to do something to clear the backlog of operations and give these children a chance of living a normal life.
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CHI's CEO Lucy Nugent is among those set to be grilled
Credit: PR Handout image
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Their three key healthy eating guidelines messages are: Limit high-fat, sugar, salt foods/drinks from the top shelf Eat more vegetable/fruit: five-seven servings Know your serving sizes And health bosses say "changes to physical activity in conjunction with dietary changes are the first steps to managing weight". And they understand that it's totally normal if you find it hard to change your habits and routines. But it can help to plan what changes you will make, keep a diary of your habits - for example your sleep, mood, eating habits and to set goals - make two or three small changes at a time. Other key activities include getting better quality sleep and increasing exercise. Sleep is important for your health and your weight. Not sleeping well impacts your metabolism and hunger levels. You're more likely to eat higher energy foods and be less active when you sleep badly. Tips for better quality sleep: Routine - try to go to sleep and get up at the same time every day. Daylight - getting daylight can help you sleep at night. Smartphones, computers and TVs - do not look at screens for a few hours before going to bed. Food and exercise at night - avoid eating large meals 1 to 2 hours before bedtime. Physical activity - being physically active during the day may help you sleep better at night. Caffeine - avoid caffeine in the evenings. Drink less alcohol - taking a break from or cutting down on alcohol can help improve your sleep quality. Physical activity can: help you lose weight and stop you gaining weight - it works alongside a healthy diet improve your fitness and strength improve your mood reduce anxiety and stress lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers And Jack said he can't stress enough that mental preparation is just as important as training and that no shortcuts exist if you want real results. Lastly, he said it's essential to have a good support system, as his mum played a huge role in helping him stay motivated and focused on the bigger picture. And with his newfound confidence, Jack now plans to compete in a bodybuilding show and hopes to become an online fitness coach, using everything he's learned to help others succeed. Jack added: "I know 16 weeks is going to pass. It's either I'm going to be 16 weeks in the future and I'm still going to be fat or I'm going to be 16 weeks in the future and I've made a huge transformation. "My plan now after the show was to go into online coaching - I'll have that transformation to show, and I won't have to be focused on myself. "I love helping people and if I can help anyone with improving their own confidence, that is a huge win for me." 5 Jack now is too small for the jeans that once wouldn't fit him 5 He plans to do a bodybuilding show and become an online coach
