It is important that an independent external review be established to examine the facts of what occurred in this case, to provide clarity and answers to the family concerned, and to identify and address any patient safety risks emerging such that any patient safety learning for the Hospital and wider maternity services can be implemented without delay. I, and my Department, are conscious of the impact of this patient safety incident on the family concerned.
The NMH has proposed to commission a review process comprised of a panel of experts which is independent and external to the Hospital to carry out the review process. I understand that the Hospital is engaging with the family to address their concerns with regard to the review process. I hope that the family’s concerns can be addressed in order that this independent external review process can now commence without further delay.
The matter of medical reports is an operational matter and I have referred this query for direct response.
Pursuant to section 20 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, the Minister for Health is obliged to prepare a report on notifications received by him in the immediately preceding year and to cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
The notifications are recorded on the form entitled “Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (Notifications) Regulations 2018” (Statutory Instrument No. 597 of 2018). The following information is included in the form:
- Medical Council registration number of the medical practitioner who carried out the termination of pregnancy;
- The section of the Act under which the termination was carried out, i.e., section 9, 10, 11 or 12;
- Medical Council registration number(s) of the medical practitioner(s) who made the certification concerned;
- The county of residence, or place of residence (where the woman resides outside of the State) of the woman concerned;
- The date on which the termination of pregnancy was carried out.
The legislation does not provide for any further information to be included in the report on notifications.
