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

I thank the Senator. I will raise the issue with the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and will look for assurances and a commitment to a timeline. Once again, I assure the House that the HSE has conducted a thorough audit that involved the use of specialist staff over a protracted period and a review of more than 7,500 patient files. The focus of the HSE has been on reviewing patient safety in line with its policy, including its incident management framework 2020 and predecessor frameworks, as well as international patient safety practice. While it is regrettable that this work has taken so long to progress, the priority of the HSE at all times has been for a robust audit on which to base any further action required. I look forward to the completion of the report, which will be provided to patients and stakeholders. It is regrettable that it has taken so long. To me, seven years is quite a long time for people to wait, particularly in the context of assurances to those who carried out the report that it would be finalised. I will raise the issue with the Minister and try to get a response for the Senator.