Patrick Madden, solicitor in Madden & Finucane Solicitors, Belfast stated the following;
Madden and Finucane have been instructed to commence legal proceedings on behalf of a senior medical Consultant and a patient at the Accident & Emergency Department of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. This action relates to negligence at the Hospital and a systemic failure which has led to patients suffering avoidable harm and deprivation of their basic human rights.
Evidence of appalling standards of care and neglect of patients has been disclosed to Madden and Finucane. This evidence will show that the environment in the Royal Victoria Hospital is toxic for staff and patients. The Hospital has failed in its basic duty of care.
Given the extent of the failures within this department, we consider that a full Public Inquiry is of urgent public importance.