The North-Western Health Board has fully acknowledged that, had "certain alternative actions been taken", it would have been more effective in protecting the McColgan children from abuse by their father. It has promised to implement, as quickly as possible, all the findings of the report which fall within its remit.
It welcomed the independent review group's finding that, were the same case to arise today, a more positive response focusing on the child-protection role of the board would be delivered.
The board described the report as "a major source of learning for this board and other health boards in the future". It expressed the hope that the report would have a "significant effect on standards of detection, investigation and care of children at risk".
The board again apologised to the McColgan children for not protecting them and repeated what its counsel said in court after the civil case: that it was appalled at their suffering and recognised their courage.