Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be taking this debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Harris. I thank Deputy Donnelly for raising the issue. The Minister understands that the question is in the context of the recent incident in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin - the Deputy has now confirmed this - that has been the subject of a number of media reports. While it is normal practice not to comment on individual cases, I would first like to express my sympathies to the patient and her family on this tragic incident. The HSE has advised the Department that Crumlin hospital is reviewing the incident as a matter of utmost priority.

The 2014 Donnai and Newman report on the review of genetics services in Ireland was commissioned by the HSE to recommend improvements in the governance, management and future development of genetic services. The report made 20 recommendations, the vast majority of which focused on the internal team working and clinical governance issues at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin.

The Donnai and Newman report identified 56 actions to be undertaken by the HSE and Crumlin Hospital. The HSE has confirmed that 31 of these actions have already been implemented and a further 16 are currently being implemented. An external multi-professional team led by an experienced NHS health manager from the UK has been assisting the department of clinical genetics to deliver an improved service for patients and clinical service users. Investment is ongoing in the recruitment of extra staff resources and the purchase of new equipment to assist with the implementation of improvements to the service.

While the Donnai and Newman report raised issues with regard to the lack of resources for genetic services at Our Lady’s Hospital Crumlin, it also acknowledged that investment in genetic services in Ireland should be made in the context of developing a contemporary solution for clinical and laboratory genetics and genomics for the country. A key recommendation was that a steering group should be set up to develop a national genetic and genomic medicine network that reflects best international practice. This steering group was established by the HSE in early 2015 under the chairmanship of Professor Owen Smith. The group concluded that future additional investment could only be appropriately provided in line with the establishment of a national genetics and genomics medicine network. To this end, the Smith report recommendations included the appointment of a national director of national genetic and genomic medicine network and a clinical laboratory director. Funding has been allocated in 2018 as part of the HSE's national service plan and these two posts, as well as a business manager post, are currently being progressed for recruitment. On appointment the post holders, in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, will develop the national strategic direction for genetic and genomic medicine services, including genetic laboratory services.

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