Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 3 December 2021
141. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the action he has taken following the raising of governance issues by HIQA in its report entitled Report of the Targeted Assurance Review of the Governance Arrangements of Gynaecology services at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58421/21]
View answerThe clinical services review of gynaecology services at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) (the Price Report) found a number of challenges in the service. Following the publication of the Price Report in August 2020, the Saolta University Health Care Group have been working closely with LUH to deliver on a detailed plan to implement the report’s recommendations.
HIQA’s Report of the Targeted Assurance Review of the Governance Arrangements of Gynaecology services at LUH identified governance structures and instances of failure to meet referral timelines as core areas of weakness at LUH. In response the Saolta University Health Care Group have commenced a process to identify and engage a team to support the roll out of further service improvement in LUH and the Saolta Group. Discussions are ongoing with a Service Improvement Team from the NHS Scotland in relation to provision of support to LUH to achieve further service improvements. This Team will also focus on improving governance arrangements between LUH and the Saolta Group.
The Saolta Group continues to oversee the implementation of the recommendations made in both the Price report and the HIQA report. An Implementation Group convened in September 2020 remains in place and continues to oversee implementation of the recommendations and service improvements to ensure all are fully implemented and to assure sustainability of the improvements.
My Department continues to engage with the HSE and the Saolta Group on this important matter.
