Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

210. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the review by the HSE national women and infants health programme and quality assurance and verification division of the National Maternity Hospital's investigation into a maternal death at the hospital (details supplied). [5130/18]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

218. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to provide that all direct maternal deaths in hospitals be subject to mandatory external review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5232/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 218 together.

My Department requested the HSE National Women & Infants Health Programme and Quality Assurance and Verification Division to review the National Maternity Hospital's investigation into a maternal death at the hospital, which occurred in May 2016. I can confirm that this review has been completed and recommends that all direct maternal deaths will be subject to a review external to the Maternity Network/Hospital Group. It is my belief that such a requirement will represent a significant step forward in terms of providing public assurance regarding the integrity of our review processes nationwide. In November last, I wrote to the Programme asking them to implement this recommendation immediately and I understand that this in train. The Deputy may wish to be aware that this recommendation is reiterated in the Programme's Implementation Plan for the National Maternity Strategy which is available at:

.