PATIENT SAFETY

The HSE is to conduct a review of Baby and maternal deaths during childbirth covering the years 2021 to 2023 which will start later this year.

Safer Births Ireland, a campaign group for women and families affected by baby deaths, has called for an independent review, citing the substantial number of baby deaths in the last 10 years, which have been documented by inquests, clinical reviews, court cases, and reported in the media.

Concerns raised include issues with fetal heart beat monitoring, adherence to standards and recognitions of labour signs.   The HSE’s review will involve experts from various medical fields and will initially cover the period 2021 to 2023.   The review is to be a confidential inquiry into perinatal deaths and the terms of reference have yet to be agreed and will be organised by the National Women and Infants Programme.  The HSE have indicated that there will be public and patient involvement in the process.

The inquiry will initially cover the years 2021 to 2023 and then move onto other years.

The HSE has indicated that the review will need to assess Case Notes and Expert Assessors will be identified.

These Assessors will be drawn from various medical fields.

No Assessor will be assigned a case involving their own hospital.

For more detailed insights into how the Patient Safety Act 2023 impacts you and how Whelan Law can support you, please visit our Patient Safety Rights Legal Advice <https://www.whelanlaw.ie/services/advice-on-patient-safety-notifiable-incidents-and-open-disclosure-act-2023/