Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

279. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports that families involved in the CUH incineration scandal are still awaiting a meeting with the HSE following the publication of the report into the scandal. [9429/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Firstly, I would like to again express my deepest sympathy to the 18 families in Cork who, having experienced the tragedy of losing a beloved child, then had the difficult experience of learning that the organs of their child were disposed of without their consent. I am very cognisant of the paramount importance of dignity and respect for parents who have experienced the loss of a child and am committed to ensuring that this does not happen again to parents of deceased children, or any other individual.

The Health Service Executive (HSE), South/South West Hospital Group, Cork University Hospital and Cork University Maternity Hospital advise that they apologised to the bereaved families and very much regret the incident.

The HSE shared the final systems analysis review report with the affected families on Friday 25th November 2022.

The Health Service Executive (HSE), South/South West Hospital Group advise that all families were engaged with prior to publishing this report on how this wish to receive the report. This included an offer to meet with the hospital in receiving the report and the hospital going through the report in person with the family. The HSE advise that the cover letter to all families, in sending the report to them, reiterated the offer of a meeting at a time and date suitable to the family. The HSE advise that the families have been and will continue to be offered ongoing contact, care and support.