HSE Threatens Radio Station

The Health Service Executive has threatened an Irish radio station saying it will be withdrawing its advertising after the station criticised the service.

Heath service leaders have been pressuring the ‘Newstalk’ team by threatening to withdraw advertising from the station following claims by the broadcaster that the Government press machine has adopted a boycott policy towards it.

A section of the Brenda Power show has been at the centre of the controversy, as the presenter rings the HSE direct to get officials to address what she calls “horror stories” from “victims of health service mismanagement, contempt and incompetence”.

However the HSE believes the withdrawal of the advertising revenues is a just response to what it believes is “bullying and humiliating” treatment live on air.

James Reilly, Health Spokesman for Fine Gael said the withdrawal of publicly funded HSE advertising was unacceptable “intimidation” intended to stifle free speech and he would raise the matter urgently with Health Minister Mary Harney.

“This is sinister and further proof the HSE is out of control. It believes it can just bully its way out of trouble.”

But defending the policy, an unapologetic HSE spokesperson said: “In light of staff members being intimidated, bullied and humiliated by Newstalk live on air we are withdrawing co-operation by not providing ministers, press releases and advertising. We believe this is all down to ratings,” a spokesperson said.

The HSE has come under further criticism today as the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has spoken out over the HSE’s “appalling lack of services” for people diagnosed with gender identity disorder.

Ireland has almost no psychiatrists who look after the health needs of 'Trans' people, a symposium last week heard, and just one psychologist to care for their needs.

USI President Hamidreza Khodabakhshi said: “Students are incensed by the Government’s longstanding failure to improve the provision of health services for Trans people.”

(DW)