Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether it is appropriate not to set up an independent clinical review of the death by suicide at Unit GF, Cork University Hospital, by a person (details supplied); and if she will reverse this decision and set up a clinical review of the death. [23962/07]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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In March 2005, my predecessor asked the Mental Health Commission to prepare a report on the circumstances surrounding the death of this person who died in the acute psychiatric unit of Cork University Hospital in October 2004. The report of the inspector of mental health hospitals, who is independent, was received in my Department in November 2006 and does not recommend a further independent review of this case. The unit is monitored on an ongoing basis and is subject to annual inspection by the Inspector of Mental Hospitals.

The Health Service Executive, which is responsible for the management and delivery of this service, has accepted the report's findings and has advised that the majority of the recommendations have been implemented. Risk management has been addressed, the ward environment has been reviewed and the female nursing office was moved to facilitate better patient observation. The ward layout has been assessed and a group has been established to consider the redesign of the unit. This year an additional sum of €125,000 was allocated to the south Lee area for multidisciplinary team enhancement.

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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I ask the Minister of State to respond positively to the request of the family of the late Anne Carroll, who took her life on 17 October 2004 at Cork University Hospital, for a review of her death that is independent of State agencies. She was admitted on 6 September and was on weekend discharge when she attempted to stab herself. She was saved by her brother but while he sought help, she cut her wrists. Does the Minister of State agree that on her return by her family to the hospital it was unacceptable that no bed was available and that, consequently, she became extremely distressed? Her family expressed concern to the hospital staff regarding her safety. Does the Minister of State agree it was unacceptable for the hospital not to have a high observation or special care unit? Was the absence of specified intermediate levels of observation unacceptable? Does he agree it was unacceptable that the alarm system was out of order on the day in question? On its examination, no documentation regarding the death of Ms Carroll was found in the clinical file.

For these reasons, the family is anxious that an independent inquiry should be held. In a similar situation, the Minister of State's predecessor set up such an inquiry into the death of Anne O'Rahilly, who died in unit 5B in the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick. A highly extensive and far-reaching report arose from the independent inquiry. The Minister of State should consider doing something similar at the family's request.

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with Deputy Neville that this is a sensitive case. However, the Mental Health Commission is independent and there have been two reports on this tragic death. The second was carried out at the behest of the HSE by Professor Ted Dinan from Cork University Hospital. Moreover, all but two of the report's recommendations have been implemented by the HSE.

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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When I asked the Minister for an independent inquiry last August, I was not told of this. I was informed the matter had been referred to the chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive for his consideration, to ascertain whether he should hold an independent inquiry into his organisation, which is completely unacceptable. The Minister, not the Health Service Executive's chief executive officer, should make a decision on an independent examination of that organisation. Moreover, the family wish to have an inquiry that is independent of all State agencies, as took place in the aforementioned precedent.

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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The second report by the chief executive officer of the HSE, to which Deputy Neville refers, was the report carried out by Professor Dinan. However, the Mental Health Commission report was carried out independently.

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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I only received an answer to this question last week.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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I congratulate the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Devins, on his new appointment, particularly in respect of his work with people with disabilities. I refer to the broader issue of cystic fibrosis. I ask the Minister of State for an update on the new services that will be rolled out in the next few months for those with cystic fibrosis. I also commend the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, on her particular interest in this issue. I ask for an update on those services that are to be rolled out.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Minister of State, to respond to this broadening of the question.

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Finian McGrath for his question. In general, more money is being allocated to the cystic fibrosis field, for which I have a particular concern.

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister of State facilitate the family with a meeting?

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I will be delighted to so do.