The HSE has been described as a “totally dysfunctional system” by a retired orthopaedic surgeon.
Dr Jimmy Sheehan, who is also the founder and developer of the Blackrock, Galway and Hermitage clinics, said that the admission by the HSE's chief executive Tony O'Brien, that it cannot afford to build the new children's hospital, was extraordinary.
“It’s extraordinary at this stage of the game to come out with a statement like that.
“It’s very sad and it’s indicative of a totally dysfunctional system,” he said.
Dr Sheehan added that he doubted the money from the sale of the Lotto franchise is still available for the building of the hospital, and also claimed that the contract price for the St James’s Hospital site is out of line.
“In the cost that they’re now talking about, it doesn’t include the cost of site clearance. They’re in the process of demolishing 21 separate units up there and they all have to be re-positioned. Those costs are not included.”
Earlier this week Mr O’Brien told a private session of the Dáil Committee on the Future of Healthcare that the HSE cannot progress with the project at St James’s “within the current capital envelope” and that the health service is not even in a position to sign contracts on the project at present.
One of the country’s largest building contractors BAM Ireland is reported to have been awarded the contract to build the hospital in Dublin - at a cost of almost €1billion.
‘National disgrace’
Dr Sheehan also said the scoliosis theatre announced for Crumlin Children's Hospital by Minister for Health Simon Harris has been ready for at least 18 months.
"You don't design hospitals you can't staff. Scoliosis procedures are very complex. They're very slow procedures and they're very limited with what you can do in a year. You need a lot of resources and man-power," he told Newstalk's Pat Kenny Show.
“It’s an absolute national disgrace to have young children with scoliosis waiting any amount of time because the spine deteriorates very rapidly.”