Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

In its role as patient advocate for high quality, safe, surgical care and practice, the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland supported the decision of the HSE's director of quality and clinical control, Dr. White, to cease emergency acute surgical services at Our Lady's Hospital in Navan with effect from 1 September. Earlier this year, the HSE north east identified two general surgery cases with poor clinical outcomes. It later identified four laparoscopic surgery cases where outcomes were also poor. The HSE has asked the RCSI to nominate two senior clinicians to review the two general surgery cases. The precise format of this review will be finalised shortly and the review will be concluded as soon as possible.

The HSE has appointed a review team of three senior surgeons with appropriate experience and standing to undertake a review of the four laparoscopic cases. This review is expected to take approximately two months. Four reviews have been conducted into the department of surgery in Navan since 2005. The HSE has accepted all the recommendations of these reviews and is committed to their ongoing implementation. All decisions regarding the location of services will be taken with patient safety as the priority. Minor elective surgery and endoscopy will remain in Navan. The hospital continues to be the regional centre for elective orthopaedic surgery.

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