Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
1207. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the length of time it took to carry out, complete and publish the report into the death of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16615/13]
View answerFollowing the death of Ms. Tania McCabe and her infant son at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda on 9 March 2007, the Hospital Network Manager commissioned a review to examine the circumstances of their deaths. The Review focused on the clinical management of both patients and also examined to what extent non-clinical factors may have influenced the care Ms. McCabe received.
The Review Team was established at the end of March 2007. It adopted a systems based approach utilising recognised risk management review frameworks and prepared a written report for the Hospital Network Manager HSE North East.
Part of the Review Process involved gathering information from a range of sources including an examination of the patients’ health care records, post mortem reports, and examination of existing protocols and procedures relevant to maternity services. An extensive international literature review was conducted with expert opinion sought from 5 external experts including a Professor in Microbiology and the Intensive Care Society of Ireland.
The Review Team met Ms McCabe's family on a number of occasions and interviewed over 30 members of staff who were either directly or indirectly involved in the management of care of the patients.
The Report was finalised at the end of March 2008. A copy of the full report was given to the family on 14th April 2008. The Executive Summary of the report and its recommendations was published and made available on the HSE website on 18th April 2008.
