HIQA Investigations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 September 2018

Thursday, 20 September 2018

Questions (128)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

128. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of times he or one of his predecessors has required HIQA to undertake an investigation in accordance with section 9 of the Health Act 2007; the reason for each request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38043/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Minister for Health and HIQA have instigated a number of investigations, detailed in the following table, following the commencement of Section 9 of the Health Act 2007. The table also includes the basis for each investigation.

The investigations undertaken by HIQA under Section 9 of the Act have resulted in considerable learnings which have been applied at both the individual hospital level, as well as nationally, and have undoubtedly made a significant contribution to the ensuring that health serviced are delivered as safely as possible.

Hospital or Service Investigated	Date	HIQA - Investigation Instigator	Reason
National Maternity Hospital	3/11/17	Minister for Health	Investigation instigated following the death of Malak Thawley where the Minister for Health   formed a belief that a serious risk existed in relation to the practice of   surgery outside of core hours in maternity services and beyond, the seniority of staff out of hours and the readiness of hospitals to respond to major   emergencies in such circumstances.
Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise	6/3/14	Minister for Health	This investigation was initiated as a result of the very negative experiences of a   number of patients and their families in receipt of maternity services at the   Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise
University Hospital Limerick	1/7/13	HIQA	This   review was undertaken in order to monitor progress with the implementation of   the Authority’s National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare after a number   of issues were identified as concerns.
University Hospital Galway	23/11/12	HIQA	A   belief that there may have been circumstances which gave rise to a potential   serious risk to the safety, quality and standards of services provided   following the death of Savita Halappanavar
Arrangements in place for people requiring emergency transportation for transplant surgery	2/7/11	Minister for Health - non statutory Investigation	At   the request of the Minister for Health, this Inquiry was established in order   to ascertain the events that culminated in the failed transportation for   Meadhbh  McGivern on 2 July 2011, to   review the existing inter-agency arrangements in place for people requiring   emergency transportation for transplant surgery, and to identify any actions   that need to be taken to improve these arrangements.
Meath Hospital, Dublin incorporating the National Children’s Hospital	24/6/11	HIQA	This   investigation was initiated due to concerns raised in relation to risks to the   health and welfare of patients associated with a number of aspects of the   systems of care provided to patients at the Hospital and, in particular, the   clinical risks to patients who required acute admission being accommodated on   the corridor adjacent to the Emergency Department (ED) while awaiting   transfer to an inpatient bed at the Hospital.
Mallow General Hospital	4/8/10	HIQA	Investigation   instigated following receipt  of   confidential information, which was not a formal complaint, in relation to   the treatment of a patient with complex clinical needs in Mallow General   Hospital. This information indicated that the type of care provided to   patients receiving some services in the Hospital was not in line with the   national   recommendations made in the Report of the investigation into the quality   and safety of services and supporting arrangements provided by the Health   Service Executive at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital Ennis.
Mid-Western Regional Hospital Ennis	23/9/08	Minister for Health	Investigation   instigated following serious concerns raised by family members of two   patients – the late Ann Moriarty and the late Edel Kelly – about the   potential risks to the health and welfare of patients at the Mid-Western   Regional Hospital (MWRH) Ennis, following the treatment that their family   members had received.
Pathology Service and the Symptomatic Breast Disease Service at University Hospital Galway	9/8/07	HIQA	Investigation   into  missed diagnosis of breast cancer   on two separate occasions when a patient, referred to  as Ms A, presented with symptomatic breast   disease in 2005 and again in 2007.
Pathology Services at Cork University Hospital and Symptomatic Breast Disease Services at the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick.	1/5/07	HIQA	Investigation into the care received by Rebecca O’Malley following her presentation to the   Mid Western Regional Hospital (MWRH) Limerick in 2005 with symptomatic breast   disease. It also includes her pathway following re-presentation to the MWRH   and subsequent diagnosis of breast cancer and treatment in 2006 and   2007.