Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will share the rest of the time with Deputy Rabbitte. I thank both Deputy Donnelly and Deputy Rabbitte for sharing time with me.

A shocking litany of failures and errors is outlined in this long-awaited report of an independent review of maternity services at Portiuncula hospital in County Galway. Of the 18 maternity cases which were reviewed, six babies died and in ten cases there were there serious errors of management that would probably have made a difference to the outcome for babies. As Deputy Donnelly said, it is important that we remember this evening the babies who died and their families, and acknowledge the horrific heartbreak and trauma which the families have endured and no doubt are still suffering as they come to terms with such huge loss.

The report highlights a number of key issues relating to the service provided in Portiuncula hospital between 2008 and 2014. These include delays in escalation of concerns to more senior decision-makers, deficits in both medical and nursing staff numbers, poor CTG trace interpretation, and concerns relating to the administration of oxytocin during labour. The report raised concerns over the communication with families during and after their time in hospital. The report also highlighted historical issues relating to the governance structures in place between the hospital and the group at that time.

The report made 154 recommendations under five headings. I know the Minister said that most of those had been put in place, but I would like him to inform us as quickly as possible which have not been implemented yet. These families have suffered the greatest of all losses, the loss of a child. That serious errors of management would probably have made a difference to the outcome for some babies in some cases compounds the tragedy. While nothing can ever compensate for the loss of a child, the State has an obligation to these families to ensure that all of the key recommendations on maternity services at Portiuncula hospital are implemented to ensure that no other mother or father has to suffer the same heartbreak. That is the very least we owe them.

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