Libel In A Complaint?

[toltol]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me if I'm risking a libel case if I submit a complaint about healthcare in Ireland to the press?
I have named key satff in the complaint and incidents where I believe they acted inappropriately.

The complaint is still being investigated but I want to send to the press, am I risking a court case (In Ireland)?

[toltol]

And this happened with family there, arguing every day for food and water...

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

You have recourse, but recourse takes time.
You are wounded and justifiably hurt by what has happened and want to see it dealt with quickly but believe me, your peace of mind will be better in the end if you play the long game and allow things to take their course.
Put in a formal complaint if you haven't already and wait for the outcome of the investigation.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

If family were there, were they advised not to give the patient food or water?

[toltol]

Not at all, the doctors wanted him fed but at various points didn't seem capable of either authorising it or being able to instruct others to provide it.

A typical scenario was...
Dr says, "Yes, he should be on two thousand calories a day."
Entire amount of food provided by the hospital for the day = Two Petit Filous!

[Peter Pedant]

.

he died after eleven hours ?

You would be better off following the "Normal" channels which are not far from the English...Nrth or Republic ?
anyway start off with the coroner
and also go thro the usual complaints channel in the Hospital

it is after all more likely to get a result.

[CokeTulip]

toltol..

I can understand your frustration however -
- stand back and look at things differently
- are you being interviewed as part of their investigation (might be you could consider putting this to investigators if not already invited)
- I feel you will have more power and influence by holding back as mentioned - play the long game and it will be hard but worth it (if you dont give a chance for the investigation's outcome then it is likely you will be seen as unreasonable and rediculous as it would be sensible to wait for this) - this is likely to be their response to the press too and you will lose ground.

What if you are happy with the outcome? You might be.

If not then have your story ready and I'd still be careful and plan your approach carefully - the legal info is important. There may be a few of you with axes to grind- this adds weight. Mentioning names is dangerous as you could get it wrong and even if you are right I do not think it is necessary for you to do this to get the story across. Leaving that bit hanging could be good. Its better if you dont as so many ????? marks then that staff go thinking - healthcare org better make a statement as I dont want them thinking its me, or me or me and the pressure is on internally and it keeps you out of it. (you dont just skin cats one way)

I feel if you do something predictable their legal team will be waiting for you.

[FredPuli43]

Who or what is the source of the information that the patient was not being fed?

[Peter Pedant]

Easy Fred - you go into hospital and you find they arent being fed
as in real time

or

row of full teac cups by the bed
or

uneaten lunch put out of reach

and you dont have to go to oireland for that - it is/was going on in your local hospital

[Peter Pedant]

and also Fred we are both old and ill
and naturally think we should follow 'the normal channels'
this is a function of age
and not that the normal channels have suddnely started working

think plebgate - didntcha love the Mandarin who reviewed it and didnt think he should look at the viddie ?
think Mark Duggan - for gods sake dont go out with a sock in your pocket
tjhink bloody sunday and its inquiry.....