Donnelly seeks publication of 2014 report on the genetics department at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital
AREPORT commissioned by the HSE and issued in 2014 by independent experts made some serious findings in relation the standards in the genetics department in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, Fianna Fáil Deputy Stephen Donnelly told the Dáil.
The experts, who were from the University of Manchester, stated that communications among staff were ‘dysfunctional’ and patients did not get timely access to tests, he said. Shockingly, the experts could not find any example of good clinical governance in the genetics department. ‘That,’ he said ‘is a stark finding for a group of international experts to make. The HSE commissioned the 2014 review after it emerged that hundreds of people at risk of cardiac disease were never informed.’
These are serious issues, and now another woman is gravely sick because something was missed, he said. ‘I am not attacking the Minister on this, but he has stated that he cannot comment and Crumlin hospital is not commenting,’ he said. ‘Worryingly, I understand from communications with the solicitor that the solicitor has tried to get this report but cannot get it. My understanding is that the report is not in the public domain, but I stand to be corrected if it is. I am told that, not only is it not in the public domain, but the HSE, the hospital or whatever relevant authority is refusing to release it. If true, that is quite serious.’
‘Will the Minister of State (Jim Daly) release the report to the woman and her solicitor?’ he asked. ‘I am told that none of the report’s recommendations has been implemented.’
In reply, Minister of State Daly said the 2014 Donnai and Newman report on the review of genetics services in Ireland was commissioned by the HSE to recommend improvements in the governance, management and future development of genetic services.
‘The Donnai and Newman report identified 56 actions to be undertaken by the HSE and Crumlin Hospital,’ he said. ‘The HSE has confirmed that 31 of these actions have already been implemented and a further 16 are currently being implemented.’
He said he would also pass on his request to the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, that the report be published and would ask the Minister to respond to the Deputy directly on that