Vol. 532 No. 4
367 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to a recent study in the UK where 400,000 patients per year or 10% of those admitted to hospital experience a situation where incorrect treatment is given; if a similar study on medical error has been carried out here; and, if not, the reason in this regard. [7817/01]
I am aware of the study referred to by the Deputy. This was a relatively small scale pilot study on medical error conducted by staff at University College Hospital Trust in London. The error rate found by the study is consistent with that established in other larger studies conducted elsewhere, such as the Harvard Medical Malpractice Study. No such study has been conducted in this country. The Deputy will be aware that the establishment of a central incident database is an important element of the proposed enterprise liability scheme. The community warden service will be piloted in the five following local authorities: Galway, Leitrim and Wexford county councils, Galway Corporation and Naas UDC.
Question No. 368 answered with Question No. 360
