Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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309. To ask the Minister for Health if he will order a new independent investigation by a qualified person or persons from outside of the Health Service Executive into the death of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16620/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I understand that the person who is the subject of the Deputy's question passed away in 2012.

It is generally best that complaints are dealt with locally when they occur and all efforts made to resolve them with the patient or person who has the complaint. There are a number of options open to individuals or their families to make a complaint about the health services. Part 9 of the Health Act 2004 states that a person has the right to complain about any action of the Health Service Executive (HSE) or a service provider that they believe was not fair or had an adverse effect on them. The HSE has appointed designated Complaints Officers to ensure the effective management of complaints throughout their relevant areas of responsibility.

If an individual is unhappy with the way in which his/her complaint was dealt with at the point of care the National Advocacy Unit of the HSE will appoint an independent officer to review the complaint. The Executive also has a National Safety Incident Management Policy which sets out the steps to be taken in an investigation; when independence from the HSE is required, the HSE policy provides for national and international experts to be part of reviews.

If an individual is still unhappy with the outcome of this process he/she can request an independent review of the complaint from the Office of the Ombudsman. In addition, Healthcomplaints.ie is an on-line information service which was developed by the Office of the Ombudsman in cooperation with a number of organisations including my Department and the HSE. This service provides information on how to make a complaint or give feedback about health and social care services in Ireland. This website has been developed for people who use health and social care services in Ireland, as well as for their families, care-givers and advocates.

Furthermore if an individual is unhappy with the level of care provided by a regulated health service professional such as a doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional, he/she may make a complaint to that employee's professional regulatory body.