Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2012
607. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of investigations and the timeframes for investigations being carried out in relation to the recent maternal death in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56434/12]
View answerThere are currently three investigative processes in place in relation to this case. The Health Service Executive (HSE) Investigation Team chaired by Professor Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran is ongoing. The Team has not issued a timeframe for completion but its report will be completed as expeditiously as possible.
A Coroner's Inquest will also take place as is normal practice in such cases. The timing of this Inquest is a matter for the Coroner.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is currently conducting an investigation into the safety, quality and standards of services provided by the HSE to patients, including pregnant women, at risk of clinical deterioration, including those provided in University College Hospital Galway (UCHG) and as reflected in, among other things, the care and treatment provided to Savita Halappanavar. As with all previous investigations conducted by the Authority, as the independent regulator of health and social care services, the Authority will carry out the investigation in line with published terms of reference.
The Authority will prepare a report of the findings of the investigation and make local and national recommendations as to the safety, quality and standards of services provided by the HSE, to the extent that the Authority considers appropriate. e report will then be submitted to the Board of the Authority for approval before publishing it a time the Authority deems appropriate.
Finally, all maternal deaths are notified to the Maternal Death Enquiry Ireland which conducts a confidential review of the case.
