Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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803. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide details on the planned patient safety authority, if this agency will be underpinned by primary legislation, and if the proposed authority will include an independent complaints system for patients. [19014/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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A new Patient Safety Agency (PSA) is to be established initially on an administrative basis within the HSE structures in 2014. The HSE will agree its initial governance and operational arrangements. A key role for the PSA will be to provide national leadership for patient advocacy services. The PSA will support patients by directing them to the appropriate provider or agency so that they can secure a response regarding the issues or complaints they raise. Based on a detailed analysis of complaints throughout the system, the PSA will also promote and disseminate learning from complaints nationally. The HSE is expected to begin the process of recruiting an interim CEO for the PSA shortly.