Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, has issued a public apology following the publication of HIQA’s independent review into governance failures at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI), specifically regarding the use of non-CE marked springs in spinal surgeries at CHI at Temple Street.
In her statement, Minister Carroll MacNeill acknowledged the harm caused to three children and their families, emphasizing that the use of non-approved medical devices was unacceptable. She stated, “What happened was wrong, should not have happened and should not have been allowed to happen.” The Minister highlighted that the children’s trust in healthcare professionals had been violated and that proper safeguards against harm were not in place.
Minister Carroll MacNeill met with the Chief Executive and Chairperson of CHI to discuss the findings of the report and stressed her expectations for reform. She also noted that both CHI and the Health Service Executive (HSE) have accepted the report’s recommendations and are implementing changes to prevent future incidents.
The HIQA review, which focused on the governance and oversight of implantable medical devices at CHI, also acknowledged the families who contributed their experiences, aiding the completion of the review. The Minister thanked them for their courage and cooperation during what she described as a difficult process.
In conclusion, Minister Carroll MacNeill emphasized the importance of accountability and reform within healthcare institutions, ensuring that such failures are never repeated.
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD Picture by Gareth Chaney, Collins Photo Agency, Dublin.
