Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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227. To ask the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to conduct a systems analysis investigation into the CPE scandal in UHL. [44051/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department and I have been kept informed of an external review commissioned last year by University of Limerick Hospitals Group (ULHG), regarding patients with CPE and concerns regarding whether CPE was a factor in the deaths of a number of these patients. In addition, University Hospital Limerick conducted an internal review. The HSE and ULHG have now published a final report combining the two review findings and have advised that the review process was both robust and comprehensive.

ULHG report that CPE was first detected at University Hospital Limerick in 2009 and the first outbreak occurred in 2011. Recent reports produced by the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre indicate that CPE continues to be present in UHL.  

I have been assured that ULHG have measures in place, including those for outbreak control, to appropriately support and manage patients care needs in line with national and international best practice.

I have also been assured that open disclosure with the next of kin of affected patients has taken place in line with communications best practice and HSE policy.

As there has been both an internal and external review into CPE in University Hospital Limerick, the facts have been established using robust methodologies and clinical expertise.