Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Chambers sincerely for raising this issue and giving me the opportunity to again convey my sympathies to the family of the late Malak Thawley. While, of course, the death of any young person in Ireland is terribly sad, this is a particularly tragic case, as outlined by Deputy Chambers.

I understand that an inquest into Mrs. Thawley’s death took place recently and a verdict of medical misadventure was returned. Separately, the National Maternity Hospital has undertaken its own review of the case and in accordance with their clinical governance procedures. I also understand that the National Maternity Hospital has apologised unreservedly for the very significant shortcomings in the care of Malak Thawley.

I am aware that Mr. Thawley has requested an independent investigation into the circumstances of his beloved wife’s death. I assure Deputy Chambers this evening, and more important assure the Thawley family, that I am considering that request with the seriousness it rightly deserves. I shall set out to the House a number of decisions I have now made on foot of that request in order to ensure that I am fully informed and actions that I have communicated to Mr. Thawley through his solicitors earlier today.

I have asked Dr. Peter McKenna, the former master of the Rotunda Hospital, a very experienced obstetrician and the clinical lead of the newly established national women and infants programme, and his team to examine both the coroner’s report and the National Maternity Hospital report, and to provide me with a view on the appropriateness of the clinical reviews which have been undertaken to date. I believe this is the appropriate thing to do, based on Deputy Chambers's outlining of the family's concerns around the internal hospital review. Dr. Peter McKenna, the clinical lead of the newly established national women and infants programme, and who has also had a very long and distinguished career as the master of a maternity hospital, will carry out the review and will report back to me on the appropriateness of the clinical reviews undertaken to date and any potential shortcomings in them.

11 o’clock

I have also asked the national director of quality assurance and verification, Mr. Patrick Lynch, to examine how the National Maternity Hospital conducted the investigation into Mrs. Thawley’s death. I want to be assured that the review methodology was appropriate and that the review was undertaken in line with best practice. If that is not the case, I want to be advised as to what steps to next take. When these reports are to hand, I will be in a position to make a definitive decision. However, this evening I would like Mr. Thawley and this House to be assured that I have asked that these reports be completed without delay.

My Department takes very seriously the need to improve patient safety and, specifically, the need to improve the management of incidents. I have directed the newly established National Patient Safety Office to lead this work through new legislation, policy development and the development of a patient safety surveillance system. I should also mention that I have recently approved new HIQA standards on the conduct of reviews of patient safety incidents which will be launched shortly. These standards form part of a number of initiatives to improve the management of patient safety incidents. I am firmly of the view that we can make the system safer by listening and learning from incidents in tandem with ensuring that the patient and family are both informed and cared for by the system throughout. I can absolutely assure the House this evening that any lessons from Mrs. Thawley’s tragic death will be disseminated nationally by the national women and infants health programme.

In terms of the Deputy's first question, I have no difficulty meeting Mr. Thawley. However, as I outlined in my correspondence to his representative today, I still believe that there would be significant benefit in his meeting Dr. Peter McKenna, who is the clinical lead of the programme, a former master of another maternal hospital and the man that I have charged with reviewing this case and reporting to me. My aim is the same as the Deputy's aim and everyone else's aim, which is that Mr. Thawley would know the facts. I am happy to meet Mr. Thawley but suggest a meeting with Dr. McKenna first could be beneficial to him.

See this speech in context