AN EXTERNAL inquiry into the removal of a wrong kidney from a child during surgery at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin, was announced yesterday by the hospital.
Initially the inquiry into what the hospital has termed a “significant and regrettable medical error” was to be an internal one only.
However, yesterday it was confirmed by the hospital that it had also asked a children’s hospital in London to undertake an external review of what happened.
“Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital have committed to complete the review in the shortest timeframe possible,” it said.
“The external review will be led by a team of consultants at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital which is being established at present,” it added.
The hospital said the report, when available, would be given to the child’s family and the key elements of it would be made public after the hospital board had time to consider it.
It added that the hospital’s own internal review of the incident is expected to be completed in the next week and a copy of this would also be given to the child’s family.
The age of the child who had a healthy kidney removed in error at the hospital recently and the child’s home location are not being revealed to protect the family’s privacy.
However, Crumlin hospital has said the child has now been discharged and “continues to recover”.