Whistleblowers seminar hosted by Hayes solicitors in association with IHRMA 28 May 2009
On 28th May 2009, Hayes solicitors, in conjunction with the Irish Healthcare Risk Management Association, held a breakfast seminar on the topic of the new "Whistleblowers" legislation. Included in the Health Act 2007, the legislation came into force on 1st March this year.
Hilary Muldowney, Partner, set out the historical background leading towards the "whistleblowers" (or open disclosure) statutory framework. She explained the purpose of the legislation and summarised the main points in it. She pointed out the types of disclosures that are protected under the Health Act 2007 and set out what would happen if the person making the disclosure has not acted in good faith. Hilary then noted some areas of concern in relation to the legislation and gave tips to the seminar attendees on how they should deal with it in their own organisations.
The seminar was attended by healthcare personnel working in the areas of Quality and Risk, by senior HSE executives, senior healthcare risk managers and healthcare lawyers. Ciaran O’Rorke, head of the Healthcare department at Hayes solicitors and Hilary Muldowney answered questions from the floor.