A patient advocacy group says its helpline has received a significant number of calls since the broadcast of an RTÉ Investigates report last night into a series of complaints of suspected sexual abuse of unconscious patients by a doctor formerly employed at Naas General Hospital.
The Dignity4Patients organisation, which supports patients who have suffered sexual assault or inappropriate sexual behaviour in medical settings, says it has been dealing with a large volume of contact from concerned callers.
"The calls started early yesterday morning once the story broke and the phone has been hopping ever since," said Adrienne Reilly, CEO of Dignity4Patients.
"We've been dealing with a wide variety of national concerns with the majority of calls relating to hospital-based issues - 70% of which are sexual in nature.
"The numbers of people reaching out highlights the national need for support out there - especially among people who feel they will not be believed when they question institutional type power of hospitals/doctors etc."
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, you can contact Dignity4Patients, on 086 165 4111 from 9.30 to 5pm Monday to Friday
Or the HSE information line on 045-849 570 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
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