Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

104. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to address an issue (details supplied) with regard to University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20245/19]

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

My Department and I were notified by the HSE in September 2017 of this patient safety issue, where cases of misdiagnosis / failure to diagnose occurred at University Hospital Kerry Radiology Department and the commencement of the look-back review. My Department and I received regular updates on the progress of the review, including the publication of the report in December 2018.

Throughout the review process, my Department continually sought and was assured by the HSE that open disclosure and direct contact with each patient was occurring, where clinically significant findings were identified through the Look-back Process.

The HSE has assured my Department that it is continuing to engage with and support the patients who have been impacted by these issues, and that open disclosure and follow up care as needed has occurred with affected patients and their families.

My Department continues to be in contact with the HSE regarding this matter, and in particular the implementation of the recommendations resulting from this look back review. The HSE has confirmed that the implementation of the recommendations is underway.

While the Department of Health and I are unable to comment on individual cases, I have expressed my heartfelt sympathies to the patients and families involved and acknowledged this was a time of uncertainty for patients and their families.