Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will accede to the request of a family for an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of their mother (details supplied). [25718/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I am informed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) that the hospital in question undertook an independent internal Review which was led and chaired by an independent external reviewer. Once this report was completed it was sent by the hospital to the family concerned in February 2010.

I understand that the hospital is in the process of implementing the recommendations of the report of the independent internal Review.

I was previously made aware of this case which is being dealt with by my Department in line with the Patient Safety Protocol which was adopted in September 2008. The protocol deals with correspondence from patients, doctors, health service staff and solicitors. It is managed by the Chief Medical Officer on my behalf as a medical assessment of any potential patient safety issue is required.

The HSE has informed my Department that the case referred to is the subject of legal proceedings against the hospital concerned. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for me to comment further on the issue raised.