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Hospital Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020

Tuesday, 8 September 2020

Ceisteanna (1316)

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

1316. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take in response to the recent report into gynaecology services at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22101/20]

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Freagraí scríofa

A review of gynaecology services at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) was commissioned in October 2019 by the Chief Clinical Director of Saolta University Health Care Group.

This review was initiated after a series of incidents which related to eight instances of delayed diagnosis in women with endometrial cancer. Its purpose was to assess the quality and safety of the LUH Gynaecology Service, with a focus on the pathway of care for women presenting with post-menopausal bleeding including subsequent diagnostic pathways for potential gynaecological cancers.

I understand that the Gynaecological Service Review for Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) has now been completed and I have been assured by the HSE that the report has been shared with the patients and families who have been affected by the issues examined therein. I appreciate that this is a difficult time for the patients and families, and I ask that we respect their privacy.

The report found that the LUH Gynaecology Service had a number of challenges, including large waiting lists, as well as poor governance and administrative practices which had led to delays and unsatisfactory service to patients. The report makes six recommendations which it asserts, if implemented, would improve the clinical outcomes for patients and reduce delays. These recommendations include increasing capacity and staff capability, reviewing the referral and triage system for gynaecology patients, improving communication processes and improving governance structures.

Separate to the clinical services review, a histological audit was also carried out by the Saolta Hospital Group. The histological audit found that over a ten-year period (2010-2019) there were 38 women (including the 8 women identified in the Clinical Services Review) whose diagnosis of endometrial cancer was delayed (i.e. greater than 100 days).

The HSE has advised that the Implementation Group led by the Clinical Director of the Women & Children’s Management and Clinical Academic Network (MCAN) is currently being activated. The membership of this Group includes members of the senior clinical and management team in Letterkenny and the Saolta Group, a representative from General Practice in Co Donegal and service user representatives. As part of the formation of this Group, a quality improvement action plan has been developed, the aim of which is to increase the gynaecological capacity within LUH in order to ensure that women consistently have timely access to appropriate investigations and treatment as well as improving patient triage, the appointment follow up process and clinical decision making.

In addition, a Special Measures Team (consisting of a senior gynaecologist and senior manager from Saolta) has been on site in LUH since the 5th of July, identifying and driving operational changes.

A national level Oversight Group will provide assurance to the HSE Chief Operations Officer that the recommendations set out in the Clinical Service Review Report are actively implemented and evaluated within an agreed timeframe.

The Patient Advocacy Service is providing a support service to the patients and families affected by the issues raised in the report. The Patient Advocacy Service is an independent, free and confidential service that provides information and support to people who want to make a complaint about an experience they have had in a HSE-funded public acute hospital.

Patient safety remains a priority for me and my department. Officials in my department will continue to engage with the HSE on this important matter.

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