Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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682. To ask the Minister for Health to request that the HSE revisits the way in which a complaint was addressed at a hospital (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35278/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Health is committed to improving patient services and having patient-centred care. However, while noting the complaints as detailed in the details supplied, I must advise that it is more appropriate that the Health Service Executive (HSE) are contacted directly, as there are rigorous processes in place for any individual who wishes to raise a concern regarding their treatment in our health service.

In that context I would like to highlight the options open to individuals and their families to make a complaint about care they have received in the public health system. Under Part 9 of the Health Act 2004 you have the right to complain about any action of the HSE or a service provider that you believe was not fair or had an adverse effect on you. The HSE has appointed designated Complaints Officers to ensure the effective management of complaints throughout their relevant areas of responsibility. Further information is available at www.hse.ie/yoursay or via telephone on LoCall number: 1890 424 555. If you are still unhappy with the outcome of this process, you can request an independent review of the complaint from the Office of the Ombudsman. Further information can be found here www.ombudsman.ie/contact/ or they can be contacted by phone on 01 639 5600.

I would also like to highlight the Patient Advocacy Service. This service is aimed at supporting patients who wish to make a complaint about care received in a public hospital. The service offers a confidential helpline with experienced advocates on-hand to provide information and support to patients who want to make a formal complaint to the HSE about the care they experienced. The Patient Advocacy Service has a team of patient advocacy officers, advocacy team leads and a service manager providing information and support to patients across Ireland by phone, email and through online information and in person. Further information on the service can be found by ringing 0818 – 293 003 between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday or by visiting www.patientadvocacyservice.ie/.

In this regard officials in my Department have arranged for the correspondence to be referred to the HSE and this will then be forwarded to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital for investigation and direct reply to you.