A member of the North Eastern Health Board has called on the Minister for Health to introduce legislation that will give power to health board chief executive officers to suspend consultants while inquiries are taking place into their practice.
The recommendation by Cllr Brian Fitzgerald (Independent) was made during a discussion on the findings of a confidential review group into Dr Michael Neary who is currently on paid administrative leave from Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
Concerns expressed by nursing staff about elements of Dr Neary's clinical practice as a consultant obstetrician/gynaecologist in the hospital led to the review into cases where he performed hysterectomies on women who had Caesarean births. The review group which was chaired by Dr Harith Lamki, chairman of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in Ireland found that in 46 per cent of the 42 cases it examined, "Dr Neary's decision to perform a peripartum Caesarean hysterectomy was not acceptable clinical practice."
The review group found that in relation to Dr Neary's clinical practice there was a high incidence of Caesarean sections and of peripartum Caesarean hysterectomy. In relation to the Caesarean hysterectomies reviewed they found the clinical practice was unacceptable in 46.2 per cent, acceptable in 41 per cent and doubtful in 12.8 per cent. In several patients there was an overestimation of the amount of blood lost and Dr Neary's concerns about the availability of blood for transfusion were unfounded.
In relation to suggestions that some of the operations took place because of a lack of a sufficient blood supply, the CEO of the health board Mr Donal O'Shea said the review group did not find a shortage of blood at any time. The report did find shortcomings in relation to clinical audits, continuing education and inter-professional communication, Mr O'Shea said. Following representations from Dr Neary and his advisors, it was agreed that a review of his practice be carried out by a group of three nominated by Dr Lamki. The report of the review group was presented to board members yesterday and the members proposed and agreed that copies be given to members of the press present.
The report has no legal status and Cllr Fitzgerald said, "it is ridiculous that a person like the CEO who has responsibility for a budget in excess of £100 million and over 5,000 staff, (if a complaint is made) he does not have the power to do anything other than try and investigate it while that person continues to work."