Hospital Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2004

Thursday, 8 July 2004

Ceisteanna (229)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

223 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps he proposes to take following the publication of the NEHB-commissioned report into the circumstances pertaining to the death of a person (details supplied); his views on whether the backdrop of the suspended consultants and the subsequent RCSI withdrawal of recognition of Cavan General Hospital as an accredited site for surgical training were contributory factors in the tragedy; his further views on whether under-staffing at the hospital was a factor; his further views on whether that the allocation of one consultant in emergency medicine at the hospital instead of the recommended three was also a factor; if he views as serious the matter of the missing records in the persons case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20926/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The Deputy will be aware that responsibility for the provision of services at Cavan General Hospital rests with the North Eastern Health Board. Following the publication of the report into the circumstances surrounding the death of the person in question, I met with the chief executive officer of the board last week. The report contains 22 recommendations, eight of which are classified as high priority and 14 as medium priority. The board has advised me that most of the high priority recommendations have already been put in place and that it is working to ensure compliance with all of the recommendations.

I have instructed the board to take steps to implement all recommendations as a matter of urgency. In view of the ongoing Garda investigation, I am not in a position to make any further comment on this case.