Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 5 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 4

Written Answers. - Medical Treatment.

Tom Enright

Ceist:

60 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Laois died on 6 December 1999 having been discharged from Portlaoise General Hospital some hours earlier; if he will give full details of the facts surrounding his death and the visit by a doctor (details supplied) at his home on 5 December 1999; if he has satisfied himself that this person should have been discharged from the hospital and that he received proper care and attention on 5 and 6 December 1999; and the action, if any, he will take in this regard. [8696/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

At the outset, I extend my sympathy to the family of the person concerned. The provision of medical treatment in this case is the statutory responsibility of the Midland Health Board in the first instance. However, I understand from the board that the person concerned was seen in the casualty department of Portlaoise General Hospital on 5 December 1999.

A written complaint, concerning the care of the deceased at Portlaoise hospital, was received by the board from the family of the deceased on 11 January 2000. The Midland Health Board's policy is to investigate fully any complaint received. Hospital personnel met as part of the process for responding to this complaint with representatives of the family on 21 February 2000.

At that meeting, all matters relating to diagnostic tests carried out in casualty prior to the deceased being discharged home were outlined in detail to the family. The family were also advised that if they had any other issues which they wished to raise or have clarified, the hospital would facilitate a further meeting.

Issues raised both in correspondence to the board and at that meeting are still being investigated by the hospital complaints officer. The chief executive officer of the Midland Health Board has undertaken to refer the details of this investigation to the working group which is currently reviewing the board's accident and emergency services.