HIQA to investigate services at hospital in Portlaoise
HIQA has confirmed that it will carry out an independent investigation into services at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise.
It comes on foot of a request from Health Minister James Reilly who told an Oireachtas inquiry that staff shortages and cutbacks could not explain the "unacceptable" culture at Portlaoise hospital.
The Minister was discussing a recent review into the death of four babies at the hospital's maternity unit, which the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation says is the most understaffed in the country.
HIQA says its investigation will include an assessment of the culture of patient safety in Portlaoise.
