RTÉ Brainstorm – Who’s going to speak up for Irish healthcare staff?
Whitaker Institute member Professor Kate Kenny, Work, Organizations and Society cluster leader, has a new piece on RTÉ Brainstorm. The piece looks at whistleblowing in the healthcare sector and the difficulties faced for those who speak out.
Who’s going to speak up for Irish healthcare staff?
Dr Ming Lin was getting ready for his shift in the emergency room at PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center in Washington State when he got a message to say he had been fired. Since the arrival of Covid-19, Dr Lin had become well-known for speaking out about the lack of protective measures at the hospital. He had talked to journalists and posted on social media, pleading on behalf of colleagues and patients. And then, he was sacked.
As the crisis develops, we continue to hear about healthcare staff being silenced for voicing concerns about safety. Doctors in China, India, the US and the UK are among those who have been punished for speaking out. This silencing leaves hospitals vulnerable to the dreaded surge that threatens ICU units as the virus spreads. Continue reading…