Taoiseach critical of HSE’s attitude to patient safety

The fact that patient safety was not given the highest priority at corporate level in the Health Service Executive (HSE) was "disturbing, to put it mildly", Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the Dail.

He was responding to the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) report on problems at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise.

Mr Kenny said the fact that "people in the greatest hour of need were not treated with compassion, respect and dignity is an indictment of a health service in some locations".

He said there were accountability and disciplinary procedures available in respect of doctors and nurses but not in respect of management.

The report, he added, was lengthy and complicated and Minister for Health Leo Varadkar would reflect very carefully on its contents. At the very least, a comprehensive response was required to ensure a culture of patient safety, as an absolute priority, was evident in the health services.

‘Tragic legacy’

Mr Kenny said Mr Varadkar was engaging directly with the HSE directorate to ensure the report’s findings were addressed

“It is only fair to say that the very least the families who have spoken out deserve is the tragic legacy is dealt with and, in so far as is humanly possible, it should never happen again,” he added.

Mr Kenny said he recognised the courage and dedication of the families involved in persisting and following through until the report was produced and published

The Taoiseach was replying to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin who said the report made for shocking reading and presented "an appalling vista" in terms of what happened in the hospital.