Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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20. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the recommendations contained in the patient safety investigation report into services at University Hospital Galway and as reflected in the care provided to Savita Halappanavar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6701/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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HIQA's 'Investigation into the safety, quality and standards of services provided by the Health Service Executive to patients, including pregnant women, at risk of clinical deterioration, including those provided in University Hospital Galway, and as reflected in the care and treatment provided to Savita Halappanavar' was published on 7th October 2013. On publication I made it clear that patient safety must become the number one priority for health system management and must be fully built into the governance, management and accountability systems throughout the HSE.

My Department is ensuring that the actions required to implement the recommendations of the HIQA Report into the death of Mrs. Halappanavar are being undertaken across our health services with a view to improving patient safety and providing a more patient-centred model of care. I have also directed HIQA to ensure that their monitoring of the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare include monitoring of the extent to which the health service has implemented the findings of both the HIQA and HSE investigations.

A Progress Report by the HSE's National Director of Acute Hospitals who has been assigned responsibility for this body of work was forwarded to my Department on 23rd January last. The report provides evidence that clear progress has been made:

- Irish Maternity Early Warning Scores (I-MEWS) introduced in all maternity units;

- Guidance on miscarriage and management of crucially ill obstetric patients in place.

Following on from the Authority's Report I have listed five key priorities in relation to patient safety:

- Patient Safety has been made a priority within the HSE's Annual Service Plan through specific measures focused on quality and patient safety including Healthcare Associated Infections, Medication Safety and implementation of Early Warning Score systems. My officials will meet the HSE each month to review progress on the Service Plan and patient safety will be a standing item on that agenda.

- My Department is leading the development of a Code of Governance which will clearly set out employers' responsibilities in relation to achieving optimal safety culture, governance and performance. It is expected that a Code of Governance will be developed during 2014.

- I have directed HIQA to ensure that my patient safety priorities are included in the monitoring programme against the National Standards for Safer Better Care, to ensure that there are clear governance and accountability mechanisms put in place and that there are clear arrangements to respond to the very specific findings in the above mentioned report.

- My Department, in conjunction with the HSE, will develop a new National Maternity Strategy this year. This will provide the strategic direction for the optimal development of our maternity services to ensure that women have access to safe, high quality maternity care in a setting most appropriate to their needs. Developing the Strategy will provide us with the opportunity to take stock of current services and identify how we can improve the quality and safety of care provided to pregnant women and their babies. The Strategy will ensure that going forward our services are fir for purpose and in accordance with best available national and international evidence,

- I have instructed the National Clinical Effectiveness Committee (NCEC) to commission and quality-assure four priority national guidelines on Sepsis, Clinical Handover, Maternal Early Warning Score and Paediatric Early Warning Score. This body of work is in progress.