The biggest news topic of the week in Ireland is that the results of smear tests for cervical cancer wrongly cleared thousands of women from further tests, implying they were not at risk. The human tragedy here is massive as several women have died who may have been saved if the tests had been performed correctly, and many more are dying having started treatment later than they might have.
The politics
As is usual for scandals, the minister presiding over the health authority is under pressure to resign, and the national leadership to make gestures towards that too. Certainly the opposition parties have wasted no time in that, but the ministers own party, who enjoy a majority in government, have been softer. This is quite normal.
Some superfluous issues have come up too to further pressure him, such as sitting on the board of an American company. While this is potentially a conflict of interest in general it obviously has no bearing on the matter at hand. It's just shit throwing.
Unrealistic expectations of protection
It is my view that people today are far too confident in the power of medicine, and in particular the kind of medical help which can and should be afforded to them.
While the cover up aspect of this situation leaves many in the health authority culpable of negligence and secrecy at the expense of their moral duty, the idea that we can and should be protected as a right is flawed. If you have this opportunity to get screened for cancer it is a huge privilege of a highly technological age.
Culture of liability and secrets
It turns out that doctors are not required to own up to mistakes to patients but medical practicioners spokespeople claim that it is common for then to do it. However the government are reportedly tabling new legislation to make it mandatory, as soon as next week.
Doctors and medical institutions are terrified of being admiting liability because of the potentially financially costly consequences. Just look at the case which blew this wide open, a €2.5 million settlement but without the admission of guilt!
This kind of double think is going to catch up with us all, and is starkly seen here.
More info: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/cervicalcheck-scandal-what-is-it-all-about-1.3480699