Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 2

Ceisteanna — Questions. Priority Questions. - Obstetric Care Inquiry.

Alan Shatter

Question:

1 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will order an inquiry to be conducted into the medical care provided in Sligo General Hospital to a person (details supplied) for the delivery of a baby girl on 31 August 1995 and the care provided to the baby, in particular, to determine the cause of the baby's death; whether this person's labour was managed satisfactorily and whether the obstetric care was of a satisfactory standard; the reason she was treated with oxytocins having stated that she did not want this treatment as she believed from her previous medical history that this treatment would be inappropriate; if the labour and birth was not properly managed, the reason in this regard and where responsibility rests for the events that occurred. [19919/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I note the Deputy's concern about the tragic circumstances of this case and I extend my deepest sympathy to the parents on the death of their baby daughter. The provision of obstetric care in Sligo General Hospital is a matter for the North Western Health Board. In response to representations about the case referred to by the Deputy, which were received in the Department of Health on 12 February 1997, the Department contacted the North Western Health Board for a report. Following direct contact by the family concerned with the North Western Health Board, the board on 13 March 1997 provided replies to the Department on each of the points raised. A number of additional points were raised in the representations submitted to the Department by the family on 12 February 1997 and they were followed up by the health board during the period March to August 1997. The health board submitted a detailed report to the Department on 19 August 1997, the contents of which would indicate that the matter has been referred to the Medical Council. As the Medical Council has statutory responsibility for these matters, I hope the Deputy will appreciate it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on this case at this stage.

Mr. Shatter

Is the Minister aware that the Medical Council has now determined it does not have a function in this matter? In the circumstances of it having made that decision on this very serious matter, is the Minister willing to consider a form of inquiry into the events on the basis of the information supplied to him?

Mr. Cowen

It has not been brought to my attention that the Medical Council has issued a definitive statement on the basis of what the Deputy said. I note his interest in this matter and I will take it up further with my officials, based on what he said.

Mr. Shatter

Will the Minister agree it is a matter of public concern to ensure the best possible maternity care is made available to a woman giving birth in a hospital, such as Sligo General Hospital? Will he also agree that this matter should be further inquired into by his Department to allay any public concern that might arise and to ensure all questions raised by the parents who suffered this tragedy are fully and comprehensively answered? Will the Minister indicate whether the responses received by his Department to date from inquiries made through the health board with the hospital will be made available to the parents of the deceased child to afford them an opportunity to raise any further queries they may wish to raise? Does the Minister regard the information supplied to the Department as in some way private and not available to the parents?

Mr. Cowen

This matter was brought to my attention by way of the parliamentary question tabled by the Deputy. In some respects it is difficult to comment beyond what I have said on the basis that the parents' solicitors may be involved and the board's reply to the Department in relation to the parliamentary question implied that civil proceedings may be taken. I must investigate whether that is necessarily an outcome and whether we can make further information available in the light of the possibility of legal action, which the Deputy will appreciate is a constraint. The reply I gave is the most I can say about the matter at the moment. The Deputy was kind enough to discuss it with me privately. I will make further inquiries and revert to him in due course.

Mr. Shatter

If the parents were willing to give a written assurance to the Minister that they will not proceed with a civil action arising out of this matter would the Minister feel free to make available to them the information that is within his Department? If his Department has not done so, will the Minister follow up, by way of inquiry, the detailed medical reports obtained from expert medical practitioners in England, which give rise to grave cause for concern regarding the background to this matter, and raise any queries that are required arising out of those reports to give satisfactory responses? Will the Minister acknowledge that the parents, particularly the mother who had such a tragic experience in hospital, has a right to the fullest information and understanding of the events?

Mr. Cowen

I share the Deputy's concern regarding the rights of the mother and the need to be seen to try to deal with this matter adequately as far as they are concerned, however difficult that may be to achieve. The fact that there have been solicitors' letters automatically means that people may not get further information which they would like. There are constraints in that regard. I am prepared to consider the position if the undertaking to which the Deputy referred is given by the parents. Before they give me that assurance it would be incumbent on me to find out what more I can do prior to them waiving any rights they may have in that respect.

Mr. Shatter

Is the Minister willing to meet the parents concerned on a private basis to discuss their specific concerns in this area and, in particular, their concerns to ensure that no further occurrence of this nature takes place with regard to any future pregnancy in the context of delivery in that hospital?

Mr. Cowen

The Deputy might allow me more time to assess the position to see what it might be possible to do. He will appreciate the Medical Council is the body that deals with competence and fitness to practise and those type of issues. The Deputy indicated that his information is that the Medical Council is suggesting it will not be taking any further action and has no further point to make on this matter. That information was not available to me in the short time I had to consider this file. The best thing to do at this stage is to join the Deputy in noting and extending our sympathy to the family and trying to see how we might progress matters to their satisfaction, if that is possible. I will keep the Deputy informed and will discuss the matter with him again shortly on that basis.