Written answers

Tuesday, 19 October 2021

Photo of James O'ConnorJames O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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772. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50651/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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773. To ask the Minister for Health the appropriate next step he considers with regard to an incident (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50656/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the families affected by this distressing incident which occurred at the Mortuary Department of Cork University Hospital. 

As outlined during the Dáil Debate on 30th September, the way in which these peri-natal organs were disposed of is unacceptable and should not have happened. I am very cognisant of the paramount importance of dignity and respect for these parents who have experienced the loss of a child.  I am committed to ensuring that there is learning across the health service to prevent such events happening again.

Within the public health service, when an incident occurs, it is important that the health service where the incident occurred is responsible for ensuring that the incident is appropriately investigated, so that the service can learn from what went wrong to improve services in the future.

The HSE and South/South West Hospital Group have advised my Department that this incident is being managed in line with the HSE’s Incident Management Framework. This incident was escalated to the hospital’s Safety Incident Management Team (SIMT) when it was identified. Following an initial assessment, the SIMT commissioned two types of review: a Systems Analysis Review (with external subject matter expertise) and a Regional Perinatal Service Requirement Review

The purpose of the Systems Analysis Review is to find out what happened and why, and what can be done to reduce the risk of it happening again. This review should be completed by early November and my Department will engage with the HSE regarding the implementation of recommendations arising. The review findings and recommendations will be shared with the wider HSE for learning.

In relation to the Perinatal Service Requirement Review the HSE advise that a status report from the Regional Perinatal Services Requirement Review is expected within 4 weeks.

My Department is advised that the HSE, South/South West Hospital Group, Cork University Hospital and Cork University Maternity Hospital have apologised to the bereaved families and very much regret the incident. The HSE informed my Department that open disclosure occurred with the parents, and, in line with the HSE’s Incident Management Framework, the families have been encouraged to participate in the ongoing review process to ensure that their experience is incorporated so that there is learning and improvement from this incident.

My Department is advised that at the time that the incident was identified, all families were offered the support of the bereavement and pregnancy loss service that have supported these families prior to this issue.

My Department will continue to engage with the HSE in relation to progress on this matter.  

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