Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 141: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action she proposes to take in view of the evidence given at the inquest on the death of Frances Sheridan following the discharge of this patient from Cavan General Hospital; the policy implications of the case; the measures she will undertake to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38460/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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At the outset, I would again like to offer my deepest sympathy to the family on the death of their daughter, Frances.

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a detailed reply issued directly to the Deputy.

The report prepared for the former North Eastern Health Board into the circumstances surrounding the death in February 2004 of Frances Sheridan at Cavan General Hospital contained 22 recommendations, of which eight were classified as high priority, and 14 as medium priority. The Health Service Executive has advised my Department that these recommendations are being implemented.

In addition, the Health Service Executive has also advised my Department that it has decided to procure a consultancy to examine acute hospital services in the north east, to include an evaluation of the risks associated with the provision of acute hospital services on five sites serving a current population of approximately 350,000. The terms of reference for this review are presently being finalised by the executive.