Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Regarding the two cases in question, HIQA is considering whether there is a need to assemble a new set of facts. I told the sister, whom I met last week, and the husband of the late Ann Moriarty, that we will leave no stone unturned to ensure they get the information required in whatever way it can be assembled. A considerable amount of information has already been assembled as there were three different inquiries into that case. Mr. Henry and his family still have questions and they are entitled to answers. HIQA, an independent body, is examining the issues relating to the two specific cases.

There are wider issues relating to Ennis General Hospital that concern me because Ann Moriarty presented as an accident and emergency department case. People present every day at accident and emergency departments and I want to ensure that when we provide hospital services we provide quality-assured, safe services to patients, to the best of our capacity as a country.

This is not about downgrading anything but is about upgrading patient care and safety. The Deputy asked why there is not patient buy-in, but patients look to the clinical community on these issues, as do I. I have taken advice from Professor Arnie Hill, head of the Royal College of Surgeons and one of our leading breast surgeons, who is involved with Professor Tom Keane in implementing the new cancer control programme. I have listened to Professor Keane, a breast radiation oncologist of international repute, and my own medical team at the Department. This is the advice I must listen to as I am not a clinician. Even if I were a clinician, it is important to listen to the advice of experts. I take that advice when it comes to clinical matters.

We cannot have inquiries into every misdiagnosis that occurs. Long before I became Minister for Health and Children, in the 30 years I have been in this House, I dealt with constituents who have experienced misdiagnoses and families that have lost a loved one. This is the reality as even in the best health system in the world errors may occur. We have had a number of inquiries and will continue to have them when necessary. However, we cannot tie up the best clinicians in the country in constant inquiries at the expense of services. This is why so much focus must now be on putting in place the new programme.

By March 2009, breast surgery will take place in the eight designated centres. Nineteen hospitals already have ceased performing breast surgery and at that point, one will be able to state that Ireland is providing the best possible service to breast cancer patients which is on a par with the best that is on offer throughout the world.

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