Mallow Hospital naming debate - Councillors seek consensus on 'Sherlock Wing' proposal

Labour Party councillor Eoghan Kenny brought forward a motion at last Monday’s full council meeting asking the local authority to write to the CEO of the Health Service Executive (HSE) Bernard Gloster and the Regional Executive Officer of the HSE South West Dr Andy Phillips.

The proposed letter would request that the new 48 bed wing of Mallow General Hospital be named ‘The Sherlock Wing’ to honour the roles played by former councillor and TD for Cork East Joe Sherlock and current Labour Party TD Seán Sherlock who both advocated strongly over two decades for Mallow General Hospital (MGH) and helped secure the future of the hospital.

The motion sparked a lengthy and robust debate with councillors offering unanimous praise for the influential role the Sherlock family played in the development of Mallow General Hospital.

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However a number of councillors harboured fears over a potential rejection from the HSE regarding the renaming of the new single bed wing in MGH and wanted the matter dealt with by a relevant Strategic Policy Committee (SPC).

Cllr Kenny said naming the new hospital wing after the Sherlock family would be fitting. “Joe Sherlock spearheaded the retention and upgrading of Mallow General Hospital. His son Seán worked hard with Brendan Howlin to secure the funding for the new development. The future of Mallow General Hospital is secured with the new 48 single bed unit. It would be a fitting tribute to the Sherlock family to name the name wing of Mallow General Hospital ‘The Sherlock Wing’.”

The motion was seconded by Labour Party councillor Cathal Rasmussen who said that the late Joe Sherlock worked very hard for Cork East and particularly for Mallow General Hospital.

Fine Gael councillor Anthony Barry proposed an amendment to the motion and requested that it would be sent to the SPC. “I fully appreciate the contribution that the late Joe Sherlock made to political life. I think it should be sent to the relevant SPC to look at as a County Council project rather than lost with the HSE.”

Social Democrats councillor Liam Quaide added: “I'm conscious that this is a sensitive issue. This naming proposal would ultimately be decided by the Board of Cork University Hospital Group which governs Mallow General Hospital if we forward it to them, but I would be happy to support it within Cork County Council.”

“I would be thinking along the lines of Cllr Anthony Barry,” said Fine Gael councillor Michael Hegarty who seconded the amendment. “By unanimous agreement we named a bridge in Midleton after the late Noel Collins. There may be some other council piece of infrastructure in the Mallow MD that could facilitate the naming of something in recognition of the late Joe Sherlock. If we have an appropriate SPC I think that is the way it should be dealt with.”

Fianna Fáil councillor Seamus McGrath said it made sense to keep it within the control of the local authority, while Fine Gael councillor Liam Madden acknowledged the 48-single bed way as a fantastic development for Mallow.

Fianna Fáil councillor Gearóid Murphy agreed with Cllr Barry’s suggestion that the motion be forwarded to the SPC. “The late Joe Sherlock left a towering legacy throughout Cork East and the wider region. It is fitting that he be commemorated. The naming of a piece of infrastructure in Mallow would be completely appropriate. I would concur with Cllr Barry that the motion would be referred to the SPC.

“It is to do something effective to commemorate the late Joe Sherlock. We have no role in setting any policy of the HSE, whereas for housing projects and roads infrastructure projects we do. The amendment proposal would lead to an effective outcome rather than a letter which would gather dust,” he added.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn appealed for a consensus to be reached. “The Sherlock family were tireless workers throughout Cork East. The wing is a great asset to North Cork. I have the motion proposed and seconded. I also have an amendment proposed and seconded. There is also a suggestion that it goes back to the municipal area. Everyone here agrees with what we intend doing. The last thing I would like to see is a split. I would like a consensus. We need to do what is right to honour the Sherlock family.”

“The motion is black and white,” said Cllr Kenny. “This is ultimately a matter for the HSE. If we had the support of the full council we could work very closely with the HSE in successfully naming the new wing.”

Cllr Anthony Barry said by keeping it inhouse they would retain control. “A project that is supported by Cork County Council is more appropriate. A project that is funded and decided by Cork County Council means we have control over it. We have no control over a third body and how they would view this.”

Independent councillor Declan Hurley said the thrust of the initial motion has been ‘over’ complicated.

Labour Party councillor Cathal Rasmussen added: “I appreciate everyone’s position. I would suggest that we send the letter off and see where it goes.”

Independent councillor Alan Coleman then made a suggestion which garnered support across the chamber. “I would propose that we adjourn it for a fortnight and have discussions between the interested parties so everyone understands what is at stake.”

Cllr Barry agreed with Cllr Coleman’s suggestion. “It is a good idea if we could have a discussion on it over the next fortnight rather than having a vote.”

Cllr Kenny agreed to defer the issue but expressed his disappointment in doing so. “We will defer it for two weeks. We will have a discussion on it between different parties. I think bringing it to the SPC we would have no power over the HSE then. Not having the backing of the 55 councillors here and having to defer it is quite disappointing.”

Cllr Rasmussen added: “Cllr Kenny is willing to allow the motion to be discussed at the next meeting and that a decision would be made based on the discussions.”

Mayor O’Flynn concluded proceedings by thanking Cllr Barry and Cllr Hegarty for withdrawing their amendment. “We will be back in two weeks and we will have discussions in the meantime.”

It was subsequently agreed that discussions would be held between all the various stakeholders in an attempt to reach a consensus before the motion is dealt with again at the next full council meeting on Monday, April 8.