THE TERMS of reference for a planned independent inquiry into the safety and quality of care at Mallow General Hospital in Cork are to be announced today by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa). The inquiry, being established under Section 9 of the Health Act, 2007, follows complaints from patients.
The relevant section of the Act provides for the authority to undertake an investigation if there is a possible health risk to patients receiving care at a hospital.
The terms of reference will outline why the authority is undertaking the investigation and will detail the concerns raised.
Fine Gael TD David Stanton said the inquiry must not result in the downgrading of a “vital service for the centre of Munster”, nor should it lead to further cutbacks at the hospital. “There is a pattern emerging in the health service where facilities are starved of essential resources and the ensuing problems are used as an excuse for closure by stealth,” he said.
In its statement, the Health Service Executive said it had already addressed many of the issues identified at the hospital, which “operates under a comprehensive plan to address other issues arising at the facility”. It welcomed the announcement by Hiqa and described independent inquiries as an “important function in ensuring the highest quality and standards for patients”.