Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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199. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 73 of 13 February 2014, in view of the publication on the report of the Chief Medical Officer of his Department, how the issues as raised in the question might be addressed. [14528/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, on 24th February last, the Chief Medical Officer's Report into Perinatal Deathsat Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise 2006 to date was published. The Report recognises that clear failures in the management of risk and patient safety occurred in Portlaoise Hospital Maternity Service. These failures were at a number of levels, both local and national. In order to address the situation the Report makes 42 recommendations, all of which I have accepted. This Report will also of course inform the new National Maternity Service Strategy which will be delivered later this year.

I would draw attention in particular to the urgent recommendation that Portlaoise Hospital Maternity Services become part of a managed clinical network under a singular governance model with the Coombe Women & Infant University Hospital. Pending implementation of this recommendation, a team was put in place on 28th February to run the Portlaoise Hospital Maternity Service. I am satisfied that the Hospital will, through the establishment of this managed clinical network with the Coombe, be supported to ensure the provision of improved, safer, patient centred maternity services.

In addition to the Portlaoise Report, I have requested that HIQA carry out an investigation in accordance with Section 9 (2) of the Health Act 2007 as well as undertake an immediate assessment of the patient safety culture at Portlaoise Hospital. The Board of HIQA has now approved the commencement of a Section 9 investigation, the Terms of Reference of which were published on Friday 21st March last.