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

I thank the Deputy for raising this very difficult issue, which has been the subject of much discussion in the House. I express my sympathy to the families in Cork who, having experienced the tragedy of losing a beloved child, then had the difficult experience of learning that the organs of the child were disposed of without their consent. The Department is advised that the HSE, the South/South West Hospital Group, Cork University Hospital and Cork University Maternity Hospital have apologised to the bereaved families and very much regret the incident.

The HSE and the Minister are committed to ensuring there is learning across the health service to prevent such events happening again. The HSE advises that the systems analysis review being undertaken by the South/South West Hospital Group is still under way and will act on any recommendations. The review team has been engaging with the families affected. The Department of Health was informed that open disclosure occurred with the parents, and, in line with the HSE's incident management framework, the families have been encouraged to participate in the ongoing review process to ensure their experience is incorporated and there is learning and improvement from this incident.

This incident was originally advised to the Department via the patient safety communications protocol on 12 May 2020. Since this time, following requests from the Department, 18 updates have been received from the HSE, with the most recent update provided on 14 June 2022. The HSE advises that the review team is engaging legal opinion on the draft report before sending it to participants, in accordance with factual accuracy checking and fair procedures. Once this process is complete the final draft will be shared with the families for input on factual accuracy checking. The HSE advises that communication was issued to the families on 16 May advising of a delay to the anticipated time frame of mid-May for sharing the final draft report. I understand the further delay in completion of this review is very upsetting for the families affected. The Department is continuing to engage with the HSE on progress on this matter.

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