Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 October 2013
188. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason a hospital (details supplied) in the early 1990s took the organs from stillborn babies; the reason they were taken without the knowledge or permission of mothers; where those organs went and what was done with them and the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42809/13]
View answerMy Department published two reports by Dr Deirdre Madden in 2006. The first of these reports "Post Mortem Practice and Procedures" inquired into the policies and practices relating to the removal, retention and disposal of organs from children who had undergone post-mortem examination in the State since 1970. The second report "Working Group on Post Mortem Practice" considered the application of the recommendations of the first Report to (a) babies who died before or during birth, (b) minors and (c) adults.
In line with a recommendation in Dr Madden's reports, an independent audit of all retained organs in the State was carried out by Ms Michaela Willis and her report was published in 2009.
In March 2012, the Health Service Executive published "Standards and Recommended Practices for Post Mortem Examination Services" and these were circulated to all relevant hospital staff. The overall aim of the standards and recommended practices for post-mortem examinations is to drive high quality services based on best professional practice and current legal requirements. Meanwhile, the Heads of a Human Tissue Bill, which will incorporate aspects of the key recommendation of Dr Madden's Reports are at an advanced stage of drafting.
