On receipt of the report of the independent review panel into this case, which was published on the 20 December 2002, I appointed Mr. Kevin Bonner, management consultant and former Secretary General of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, to work with the North Eastern Health Board in implementing the findings of the independent review panel. Mr. Bonner is continuing to work with the board in this regard. In addition, the North Eastern Health Board has established a review group to examine the current protocol for dealing with emergency obstetric cases and this group will report to the chief executive officer by the end of February.
In the light of the findings and recommendations of the independent review panel, I have instructed the regional chief executive of the ERHA and the chief executive officers of the health boards to review protocols for the handling of emergency admissions, both obstetrical and other, in all relevant hospitals.
Question No. 182 answered with Question No. 108.
Question No. 183 answered with Question No. 141.