Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Yes I am.

The HSE has recently established a steering group to implement the Teamwork Management Services report and to oversee a programme of improved safety and standards across the acute hospital network in the north east. This group is led by the national hospitals office and the project group is led by Dr. Eilis McGovern, a consultant surgeon from outside the region. The HSE has begun the process of reorganising its acute services in order to further the implementation of the Teamwork Management Services report, as well as the report of the independent inquiry into the death of Mr. Walsh.

In conclusion, the Government is embarked on the detailed implementation of reform, new legislation and funding, as well as a new culture of safety in health. It will set standards and strengthen inspections and registrations. It will also do all it can to safeguard a culture of patient-focused care, a culture that is not mechanical but is deeply rooted in a humane and ethical commitment to respecting and valuing human dignity.

Health services are delivered by human beings and human beings make mistakes. As medicine is not an exact science, some level of error is probably unavoidable. The challenge facing us is to reduce or eliminate avoidable mistakes. I have outlined many current developments as well as those that are under way, which should contribute enormously to protecting both patient safety and patients' rights.

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