23rd January 2015
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
Fianna Fáil Health Spokesperson Billy Kelleher TD expressed his
annoyance that the computer system in the laboratory in Cork
University Hospital has crashed again. Speaking today, Deputy Kelleher
said, ‘‘my office has received several calls today from angry
constituents who have been informed by their GP’s that no routine
blood tests will be processed until further notice. Furthermore urgent
cases will be dealt with by ‘arrangement’. According to a GP, I spoke
with, it is hard to get an urgent case through on a good day with the
lengthy waiting time on hold, let alone now because they cannot even
get to talk to someone.’’
Deputy Kelleher continued, ‘‘this is causing huge problems in the
hospital which is the second busiest in the country .The computer
system has a history of breaking down. Last September, the General
Manager of the hospital admitted he had no idea what was behind the
computer difficulties that then paralysed its laboratory IT system. It
was then conceded by the hospital a solution needed to be found
immediately “because clearly the potential implication of a system
going down where so many tests are done each year, is significant”.
Obviously they have not learnt their lesson.
It is clear that something is fundamentally wrong inside the hospital
and I call on the Minister and the HSE to immediately investigate the
situation and find a solution,’’ concluded Deputy Kelleher.
