A REQUEST for access to details of the specific patient safety concerns which led the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) to begin an investigation into Mallow General Hospital, has been refused.
The authority began an investigation into the quality and safety of services at the 76-bed hospital in August, saying it was concerned there may be a serious risk to the health and welfare of some patients there.
It said at the time it had “not received adequate assurance” from the Health Service Executive (HSE) that national recommendations it made in relation to the types of surgery and other services which should be provided at smaller hospitals had been implemented at Mallow.
This, combined with “confidential information” it received in relation to patient care, had prompted it to initiate its investigation, it said. The announcement of the inquiry has caused concern in Mallow that it may result in the hospital losing some services.
The Irish Times sought access under the Freedom of Information Act to all correspondence between Hiqa and the HSE since January in relation to the concerns. Hiqa said it was refusing to release the correspondence as “premature release” could impair or prejudice its investigation or jeopardise co-operation with an active investigation.