HSE boss voices concern over ‘inappropriate conclusions’ over deaths at UHL

THE HSE has released a statement following incidents and deaths at University Hosptial Limerick.

The statement, released over the weekend, follows confirmation that an inquiry has been launched into the death of a 33-year-old Clare woman at UHL following the loss of her baby.

“Our first thoughts in relation to patient deaths at any location are with those affected,” a spokesperson for the HSE said.

“However we are concerned that some current commentary in relation to tragic outcomes at University Hospital Limerick is putting forward inappropriate conclusions about some of these cases, and could affect the confidence of people in attending the hospital.

“We always address legitimate concern and questions and have done so recently in the Mid West. However, not every tragic outcome for a family in Limerick means there has been a failure in the service. Not every tragic outcome has the same attributes as other cases in which failure has been identified.”

HSE CEO, Bernard Gloster said they have “robust mechanisms for inquiring into unexpected deaths, unexplained poor outcomes and complaints”.

“In Limerick, as with all our hospitals and services, we have an Incident Framework. When examining a concerning outcome we do not start from a conclusion,” Mr Gloster began.

“We assess the evidence, and then draw conclusions. The primary aim is first to establish what happened and how, and then to take any appropriate actions.

“Most such reviews, no matter what the outcome, give us the opportunity to learn how to improve for other patients and service users. I have mandated a questioning environment in the interests of patient safety which I believe our staff accept as the norm,” Mr Gloster added.

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In the statement from the HSE, a spokesperson said that in relation to recent deaths, and cases in UHL, each case is looked at in its own right.

“Two cases are rarely the same. Similarities such as patient age for example, do not suggest the cases are the same,” the spokesperson said.

“The public can be assured of our full attention to each case. All cases are considered in our incident frameworks, and in the case of maternal death there are very specific national processes followed regardless of the cause of death. We base our conclusions on systems analysis reviews, coroners courts and, if the evidence suggests, further appropriate inquiry.

“Scrutiny and robust questioning will be copperfastened further in the new HSE structures when a revised national patient safety unit with a replica unit in each of our six Regions are established. All will operate on the basis of ensuring several layers of analysis and questioning to give the greatest level of assurance.”

The statement continued: “We would therefore ask that in relation to recent cases at UHL, as in any unexplained death in any hospital, that commentators not jump to conclusion and to respect the dignity of those who have died, the privacy of their grieving families and the dedication of our staff who come to work each day in the spirit of professionalism and care. We have excellent front line staff across our services including Limerick.”