Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2012
614. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the date on which his Department was first notified of the death of a person (details supplied) and the date on which he was first notified; the persons who notified him and the person who notified his Department; the action if any that was taken by the Health Service Executive prior to him or his Department being notified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53108/12]
View answer699. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the date on which his Department was first notified of the death of a person (details supplied) and the date on which he was first notified;the person who notified him and the person who notified his Department; the action, if any, that was taken by the Health Service Executive prior to he or his Department being notified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52908/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 614 and 699 together.
It would not be customary for my Department to be routinely advised of deaths which have occurred in hospitals, nor to be informed of inquiries being carried out by the Health Service Executive (HSE) into such deaths. However, in this case my Department became aware of the death of Ms Savita Halappanavar on 12th November as a result of a press query.
On receipt of this query my officials checked with the HSE and were informed that this incident was escalated directly from the hospital for the attention of the HSE’s National Incident Management Team (NIMT) on 1st November, in accordance with its Risk and Incident Escalation Procedure’ which outlines the steps that must be taken by each manager to escalate risks and incidents, as appropriate, that occur within their own service. This procedure is to be used in circumstances where a national or integrated response is required.
In addition, in the case of a maternal death, a number of standard procedures are followed including a risk review of the case and the completion of a maternal death notification form, through Maternal Death Enquiry Ireland. Ms Halappanavar's death was also notified to the Coroner as is standard practice and will be the subject of a Coroner's Inquest.
On 23rd November the Board of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) following a request from the HSE and in accordance with Section 9(1) of the Health Act 2007, announced that it will investigate the safety, quality and standards of services provided by the HSE at University College Hospital Galway (UCHG) to critically ill patients, including critically ill pregnant women as reflected in the care and treatment provided to Savita Halappanavar.
I am most anxious that we can establish all the facts and address any possible safety concerns that may arise as a result of the investigation and that could have implications for women attending our maternity services as expeditiously as possible. However, while it is vital that the investigation is expedited, it is also vital to ensure the circumstances surrounding Ms Halappanavar's death are investigated thoroughly.
