Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister is aware, the most serious issues have arisen concerning a substantial number of patients who underwent spinal surgery. Inappropriate procedures were carried out, and in one case the death of a patient was hastened. In addition, unnecessary and dreadful pain was caused. We learned of this through patients - I learned of it from the family of one patient - and through the press. It is entirely unacceptable to learn of this in such a manner. Will the Minister tell us about the audit and specifically when it commenced, the outcome and why it was delayed?

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