Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The incident that occurred at the National Maternity Hospital in March 2019 was tragic and the Minister and I are very conscious of the distress it has caused for the couple involved. Our overriding concern is that the couple's questions are answered appropriately and that any patient safety learning identified from the case can be implemented at the hospital concerned and across all maternity services. It is not appropriate to discuss the specifics of the case but I will outline the process that is being put in place to address these issues.

We are strongly of the view that, when a serious incident occurs within the health service that requires investigation, the establishment of an independent review is the appropriate way forward in order to ascertain the facts of the case in line with the HSE's incident management framework. We are aware that significant efforts have been made to establish an independent external review of this case. I am advised that extensive engagement has taken place with the family regarding the composition of the review panel and the draft terms of reference with a view to addressing their concerns regarding the planned independent external review process. It is of vital importance that all parties are confident in the review process.

I have been advised that the review will be conducted in accordance with HIQA's national standards for the conduct of reviews for patient safety incidents and the HSE's incident management framework. The review panel will include members with the appropriate medical expertise to allow for a full understanding of the facts to be developed and will incorporate clinical expertise from outside the jurisdiction. The Department has been advised that the review panel should also include senior counsel among its membership to provide input regarding the specific requirements in Irish law with regard to the termination of pregnancy. The importance of enabling the participation of patients in any such review is also well established and the panel will include a patient representative. The clinical director of the national women and infants health programme, Dr. Peter McKenna, has also agreed to take a significant role in the review panel.

It is important that the family concerned is at the centre of the review process. The Minister, Deputy Donnelly, will meet the family in the coming weeks to listen to their concerns and to work together to move the process forward. The Minister's view and that of the Department is that this review needs to proceed and be completed as quickly as possible to establish the facts of the case, provide clarity and answers to the couple concerned, identify any patient safety risks associated with the termination services provided by the National Maternity Hospital and other maternity services, and identify any patient safety learning that can be implemented in the National Maternity Hospital and across the wider maternity services.

See this speech in context