13/05/2015

Sinn Féin Warns Taoiseach 'Ignoring HIQA Report Risks Further Tragedy'

Sinn Féin has called on the Taoiseach Enda Kenny to explain why the HSE, the Department of Health and the Minister for Health have failed to act on HIQA recommendations.

Party leader, Gerry Adams, raised the issue in the Dáil following the death yesterday of a baby at Cavan General Hospital, which Mr Adams said "naturally raised further concerns about the safety of maternity services in the State".

Mr Adams said: "This sad news comes directly after last week’s publication of a HIQA Report on safety of services in the Midland Regional Hospital. HIQA found that the hospital was not governed, resourced or equipped to provide 24-hour, seven-day, acute surgery, accident, emergency and maternity services. The National Incident Management Team has also said that it is aware of numerous sad and serious cases at all HSE sites.

"That HIQA report made the point that had the findings of previous HIQA recommendations been implemented, the risks to patients would have been 'vastly reduced'. This is not the first time HIQA has made this point. In fact I have raised these concerns with the Taoiseach many times without any satisfactory response.

"Women need assurances that their pregnancies will be safe. How many more damning HIQA reports into our health services will be ignored? What is the point of HIQA if its recommendations are not implemented?"

(MH/CD)

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