Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2023
651. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if, in relation to the news that there were orthopaedic surgeries with unlicensed implants performed at Temple Street Hospital, he will advise whether HIQA was notified of the increased infection rates and above-normal repeat surgeries; if so, the action HIQA took; and if not, the reason therefor. [42521/23]
View answerThe Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) have informed me that they are not routinely notified of infection rates and above-normal repeat surgeries and there is no requirement on services to routinely provide this to HIQA.
The use of non-CE spring implants in surgeries in Temple Street Childrens Hospital is a very serious matter. Firstly, a clinical review of the three patients involved is currently under way.
I am writing to the CEO of HIQA to request that they conduct an independent review of the use of the non-CE spring implants during spinal surgery in Temple Street. This review would also include review of the controls and oversight processes and governance within CHI on the use of surgical implants / implantable medical devices, including the processes around regulatory requirements and notifications, which was raised by some advocacy groups.
