The Health Information and Quality Authority can confirm that confidential information was received about treatment a patient received in Mallow General Hospital.

The information indicated that the type of care provided to patients undergoing certain treatments in the hospital was not in line with the national recommendations made in the Ennis report, which highlighted the risks arising from low numbers of patients being treated for certain conditions and the clinical staffing cover possible in such hospitals.

This raised concerns on the part of the Authority about the range of treatment provided at the hospital. As a result of receiving this information, which was not a formal complaint, the Authority sought assurances from the HSE about how patient care was provided in Mallow General Hospital.

The information received from the HSE did not assure the Authority that the risks to patient care that had been identified were being adequately addressed.

The Board of the Authority considered the confidential information received about the specific care of a patient along with the information from the HSE in relation to Mallow General Hospital and the absence of assurances from the HSE on the implementation of the national recommendations from the Ennis report. Following this a decision was made to instigate an investigation.

Further details are contained in the statement issued by the Authority on Monday 9 August, which is available from www.hiqa.ie.

The Authority does not envisage making any further public comment until the investigation has concluded. The investigation report, and its recommendations, will be published following the completion of the investigation.

Further Information: 

Sinead Whooley, Communications Manager

01 814 7488 / 087 922 1941 swhooley@hiqa.ie