Mr. Jim Breslin:

Absolutely. Two tribunals separate to the compensation tribunal tried to identify the learning from this case and that has informed subsequent approaches. One learning identified is that while the issue is being considered in terms of how it happened and so on, people will have been affected and need supports. Generally in such situations the first response is to tackle the problem from a patient safety perspective. That did not happen in this case. There was contaminated blood in the blood supply and that continued after the service gained knowledge of it. There is an absolute understanding across the health service of the need for immediate intervention to prevent further harm resulting from a patient safety issue which has an ongoing implication. Another learning is that one must look back to see who was potentially affected by the issue. Another is that while legal processes and other things take their course, those affected will require supports and one should work proactively to put such supports in place. We have recently tried to work with and support affected people on an individual basis. That has been done in various circumstances, including in dealing with women who underwent symphisiotomies in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, and those affected by CervicalCheck.