Hiqa Report Finds Hse Failed To Act On Concerns At Portlaoise Hospital

Hiqa report finds hse failed to act on concerns at portlaoise hospital

A HIQA report has strongly criticised the HSE over its failure to deal with safety risks at Portlaoise Hospital. The review was carried out after concerns were raised following the deaths of five newborn babies in recent years. The draft report says the emergency department was "poorly governed"; that there was "inaction" and "indecision" at the hospital; and "major deficits" in how it was run. The Irish Times health correspondent, Paul Cullen, says the report is damning. "The organisation which is responsible for ensuring that safety didn't seem to be on the ball, didn't seem to act about it and was ineffective in its response" he said. "The HSE anyway is supposed to be abolished - that was the current government's policy". "It certainly would seem to hasten the day when the HSE might cease to exist" he added.