Whistleblower (TV series)

infobox television
show_name = Whistleblower


caption = Series logo with midwife Louise (left; portrayed by Emma Stansfield)
format =
runtime =
creator = Saffron Pictures
starring =
country = IRL
network = RTÉ One
first_aired = August 31/September 1 2008
last_aired =
num_seasons =
num_episodes = 2
related =
website = http://www.rte.ie/tv/whistleblower/index.html
imdb_id =
tv_com_id =

"Whistleblower" is a two-part fact-based RTÉ drama which focuses on the Michael Neary scandal that erupted in the 1990s. [cite web|url=http://www.iftn.ie/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4281463&tpl=archnews&force=1|title=‘Whistleblower’ Drama On RTÉ One|date=2008-08-28|accessdate=2008-09-01|publisher=Irish Film and Television Network] Neary is a retired Irish consultant obstetrician/gynecologist who gained notoriety when it was discovered that he had performed what was considered an inordinate number of caesarian hysterectomies during his time at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, County Louth. A subsequent inquiry found that Neary had carried out 188 peripartum over a period of 25 years, some on very young women of low parity. The average consultant obstetrician carries out 5 or 6 of these operations in their entire career. The airing of the show prompted the support group Patient Focus to renew its call on the Irish Government for every woman affected by Neary's actions to be included in the Lourdes hospital redress scheme. [cite web|url=http://m.rte.ie/news/2008/0830/whistleblower.html|title=Group seeks redress for all Neary victims|date=2008-08-30|accessdate=2008-09-01|publisher=RTÉ]

"Whistleblower" highlights the obstacles encountered by a midwife as she blows the whistle on Michael Neary's irregular obstetric practices. It was broadcast on RTÉ One on Sunday August 31 and Monday September 1 2008 at 21.30. The two-part drama was written by Rob Heyland [ [http://www.rte.ie/tv/whistleblower/writer.html Writer Rob Heyland] ] and directed by Dermot Boyd. [ [http://www.rte.ie/tv/whistleblower/director.html Director Dermot Boyd] ] It was produced by Siobhán Bourke [ [http://www.rte.ie/tv/whistleblower/producer.html Producer Siobhán Bourke] ] and Peter Norris and researched by Sheila Ahern.

Part one focuses on the discovery of the high amount of hysterectomies carried out at the hospital and the subsequent reporting of the midwife's suspicions. Part two focuses on the aftermath of the revelations as threatening notes and phone calls are received whilst, with more cases coming to light, one victim of malpractice takes her case against Dr Neary to the High Court.

RTÉ was criticised for airing the controversial drama too soon after the inquiry and for making it too upsetting for all those involved. The commissioning editor of drama with the national broadcaster, Jane Gogan attempted to justify its airing by saying that "RTE hopes to convey to a wider audience the human cost of the injustices which were exposed and to illustrate the power of the individual in affecting change". [cite web|url=http://www.herald.ie/national-news/rte-defends-drama-on-dr-neary-scandal-1461948.html|title=RTE defends drama on Dr Neary scandal|date=2008-08-23|accessdate=2008-09-01|publisher="Evening Herald"]

Cast

References

External links

* [http://www.rte.ie/tv/whistleblower/index.html Official site]