At Whelan Law, we are committed to advocating for a healthcare system built on trust, transparency, and patient empowerment. While we operate in Ireland, we pay close attention to developments in other jurisdictions that reflect a shifting mindset within the medical profession regarding accountability and patient rights. A recent article in The Independent features former Neurosurgeon, Henry Marsh, whose powerful account provides a profound example of this evolving perspective.
The article shares a deeply personal account of a chance encounter with the mother of a young patient who had passed away decades prior. In that moment, Marsh’s apology offered both him and the grieving mother an unexpected sense of relief. As Marsh states, "pretending to be infallible serves no one. Doctors make mistakes; I made mistakes. To admit them is agonising at times, but necessary. Only by telling the truth – to our patients, to each other and to ourselves – can we hope to deserve the trust that is placed on us.”
His stance acknowledges a critical truth: an apology is a compassionate act that can bring healing to both the patient and the professional.
This evolving perspective is highly relevant to our work in Ireland. We have consistently observed that families affected by medical negligence often seek two primary things: answers and an apology. Financial compensation, though necessary for care and support, is frequently not the sole motivation. As our firm has always advocated, transparency and open disclosure are vital for preventing further harm and rebuilding trust.
The UK is moving towards a more transparent culture, and here in Ireland, there remains a gap between a stated commitment to open disclosure and a consistent, nationwide practice. The principles championed by medical leaders like Henry Marsh are the very foundation of the compassionate leadership that we believe must be fostered in Irish healthcare.
We will continue to be a voice for patients and their families, advocating for a system where accountability is not a last resort but a first principle. We believe that by holding healthcare providers to a higher standard of transparency, we can build a safer and more trustworthy health service for all.