Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Deputy will agree that the objective here is to ensure that the patient acquires the appropriate information, receives an apology and that a process of redress is initiated. The facts of the patient safety incident will, of course, be recorded in the medical record file of the patient in any event. These facts will be there. It is important that we would consider a process that will ultimately lead to what we would regard as the best outcome for patients. It seems to me that section 10 provides an appropriate level of impetus for the cultural change to which I referred earlier. It facilitates the acquisition of information on the part of the patient after the incident. Presumably, that will be accompanied by an apology and will be followed by an appropriate process of redress, often without any need to resort to the courts at all.

We need to ensure that we have legislation that will bring about a cultural change from the current deficient situation and also ensure that there will be an appropriate level of buy-in, without which this legislation will be a disappointment and will not work to the benefit of those at whom it is directed.

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