AN INVESTIGATION IS under way at Letterkenny General Hospital following allegations that a four-year-old child was hit by a doctor.
Management at the hospital have confirmed they are investigating a “trust in care” incident “concerning a child who was attending the hospital, accompanied by its parent”.
According to The Irish Times, which first reported the alleged incident, a doctor at the facility has been suspended while the investigation is carried out.
A spokesperson for Letterkenny General Hospital wouldn’t be drawn on the details of the case, but confirmed the inquiry was under way.
A statement from the hospital (part of the West/North West Hospitals Group) states that the investigation will be guided by two policies:
“The “Children First” policy states that the key principles informing best practice are that the welfare of children is of paramount importance and that all personnel and health professionals, irrespective of the position held within the organisation, have a responsibility towards child protection and welfare.
“The ‘Trust in Care’ policy aims to ensure any allegations or complaints against a member of staff are thoroughly investigated.
“This policy states that, ‘at an appropriate stage in the process, management should take whatever protective measures are necessary to ensure that no patient/client or staff member is exposed to unacceptable risk. These protective measures are not disciplinary measures and may include putting the staff member off duty with pay pending the outcome of the investigation’.”
According to the statement, appropriate action will be taken once the results of the investigation are known “up to and including disciplinary action” including, where appropriate, “the reporting of the incident to external authorities”.
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