Varadkar to meet families who lost babies at Portlaoise
Wednesday, May 13, 2015 - 06:46 AM
The Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, will meet with families who lost babies at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise this afternoon.
Yesterday, a spokesperson for the Minister said that he wants to hear the views of the families involved.
The meeting will take place in Portlaoise as part of a visit by the Minister to inspect facilities at the hospital.
Meanwhile, the head of the health service watchdog will appear before the Oireachtas Health Committee today to discuss HIQA's report into services at Portlaoise.
"Anybody who read the report could not but be appalled at what transpired," said Deputy Jerry Buttimer, Chair of the Committee. "The way in which patients and their families were treated … not to mention … safety, and the risks for women and babies born [there].
"It's our first opportunity, as a committee, to deal with the report."
He also said he welcomed the Health Minister's announcement that the report's recommendations will be implemented in full, which he said would lead to increased maternity service standards nationally.
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