Independent reviews of baby deaths can be held ‘if necessary’

Independent reviews into recent baby deaths in Irish hospitals can be established if they are necessary following internal hospital reviews, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has told the Dáil.

He was responding to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin who said it was time for “external independent reviews rather than internal inquiries”.

Mr Martin was speaking in the wake of two deaths in Cavan and a death at the National Maternity Hospital at Holles Street in Dublin, following which internal investigations have been initiated.

Mr Martin said that between 2004 and 2013 Ireland had the highest birth rate in the OECD but the third lowest number of obstetricians per 100,000 women.

He said there was a “fundamental manpower issue and a fundamental resource issue”. He also said that only an additional €3 million was provided for maternity services in 2016 in the “false” and “fraudulent” budget and there was an over-reliance on locum and agency staff.

“Do you accept, Taoiseach, that our maternity services are under resourced and there’s a need for urgent intervention and transparent action?” he asked.

“Shouldn’t we be having independent external reviews rather than internal inquiries, either by Hiqa or independent external (agencies)?”

He said of four deaths in 2015 there had been no information and no published reports.

The Taoiseach said one of the reviews had been completed and two others were close to completion.

Mr Kenny said it was a stress and a tragedy for the families involved. He expressed his deepest sympathies to the families.

He added that “the safety and quality of Ireland’s maternity services was a priority for the Government”.

And for the first time there was a national maternity strategy.

He said the Master of the National Maternity Hospital had initiated an investigation and the RCSI group was investigating the deaths in Cavan.

Mr Kenny said it was important to have the internal investigations and if an external inquiry is required afterwards “that can happen”.