Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 May 2024
293. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will amend the Patient Safety Bill to include amendments to Section 9 of the Health Act, 2007 in order to widen the powers of the Minister for Health to direct a statutory enquiry in certain cases of maternal and infant deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20030/24]
View answerAn amendment to the Health Act 2007 has already been made in this regard through the enactment of the Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023.
Section 64 of the Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023 amends Section 9 of the Health Act 2007. This amendment was made to clarify and strengthen relevant Ministers’ powers to request an investigation, by HIQA, into serious risks that may exist in Ireland’s health and social care services. Section 9 of the Health Act 2007, as amended, gives the Minister for Health and Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the power to direct HIQA to undertake an investigation, to address serious ongoing risks to patient safety in Ireland's health and social care services, including maternity services.
