Portlaoise hospital cases should be investigated, TD says

The cases of each of the families who lost a baby at Portlaoise hospital should be individually investigated to determine exactly how the loss of life occurred, Fine Gael TD Regina Doherty has said.

Ms Doherty said that the parents who addressed the Oireachtas health committee on the subject on Tuesday should be commended for their "bravery, for their tenacity, for their pursuit for justice".

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Ms Doherty said she was ashamed "from the pit of my stomach" at how the families of the babies who died at Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise had been treated.

“We’re just looking for answers and reassurances to make sure that whatever occurred during the tragedy of their personal circumstances would be learnt by and make sure they never happen again.”

Ms Doherty said the families described to the committee how they were treated with “disdain” and told lies at every turn.

"They were moved from one level of hierarchy of management locally right all the way up until they met directors of HSE.

“I just wish to god that there was a genuine concern about the delivery of patient safety.”

‘Reflect very seriously’

Ms Doherty called on the director of patient safety and quality and the director of advocacy at the HSE to “reflect very seriously” on their record over the last few years.

“We have two senior directors in this country who are responsible for patient safety and advocacy and their record is appalling and it speaks volumes.”

“The biggest problem we have is we don’t listen to patients,” she said. “We stopped talking to patients in an independent way and the HSE back as far as 2013.

“What I’m saying is I think they very seriously should reflect on the record of patient care and delivery of quality services. Not just Portlaoise, we have Galway, we have Cavan [hospitals].”

Ms Doherty said the “only glimmer of hope” that came from Tuesday’s Oireachtas health committee was the appointment of Dr Susan O’Reilly last year as the new chief executive of the Dublin-Midlands Hospital Group.

She said Dr O’Reilly had given a clear indication of the changes she plans to implement in the coming months.

“This is certainly not the end but it is the beginning of the end of the fight for justice and we’ve committed to make sure they get their independent enquiry and justice for their lost children,” Ms Doherty said.