The Health Information and Quality Authority has today confirmed that the Board of the Authority has agreed to a request from the Minister for Health to undertake an independent investigation into the services provided by the Health Service Executive at Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise. This investigation will build on the findings made by the Chief Medical Officer in his recently completed review. The investigation will include an assessment of the patient safety culture at Portlaoise.

The investigation will seek to establish further facts on the safety and quality of services at the Hospital. If risks to patients are identified, recommendations will be made to address them.

In addition, the Authority has agreed to examine the wider issues identified by the CMO with a focussed programme of monitoring of compliance with the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare, in line with the requirements of the Health Act 2007.

Phelim Quinn, HIQA’s Director of Regulation, said “The Investigation Team will review the arrangements for providing safe, quality clinical care which will include how the Hospital focuses on the needs of patients, the management and leadership at the Hospital. The Investigation Team will also review the systems and processes that support safety and quality and the communication between staff and patients, particularly when patient safety incidents occur and when complaints are made”.

“As part of the investigation, the Authority’s Investigation Team will also take into account the experiences of patients and their families”.

The investigation will be conducted by a team appointed and authorised by the Health Information and Quality Authority in accordance with the Health Act 2007. The Terms of Reference and membership of the investigation team are currently being finalised and will be published when concluded. The investigation report, and its recommendations, will be published following the completion of the investigation.

Ends.

Further Information: 

For further information please contact:
Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
01 8147481 / 086 2447623 mwhelan@hiqa.ie