HIQA to probe Mallow hospital
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) announced today that it is to undertake an investigation into the quality and safety of services provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) at Mallow General Hospital.
In a statement HIQA said has identified "specific concerns about aspects of the care provided at Mallow General Hospital following receipt of information about the types of patients being treated in that hospital."
"This has raised concerns about potential risks to the health and welfare of persons receiving certain types of care at Mallow General Hospital centred on the provision of major surgery, the emergency department and critical care services," the statement continued.
HIQA said that the HSE to date has not provided sufficient assurances that potential risks are being effectively managed.
The inquiry is being established under Section 9 of the Health Act 2007, which empowers HIQA to undertake an investigation on the grounds that there is a serious risk to the health or welfare of patients.
HIQA used the same powers to conduct an inquiry at Ennis General Hospital in 2008 following complaints from the families of two patients.
Its report in April 2009 recommended the cessation of the hospital’s acute, specialist, and complex surgical services, including cancer surgery, critical care/intensive care services, the 24-hour emergency department, maternity services, and paediatric services.
The Authority said that the investigation report, and its recommendations, will be published following the completion of the investigation.
