Reilly meets families of babies who died in Portlaoise hospital

The Minister for Health James Reilly has told the Oireachtas Health Committee that he has "grave concerns" concerning a number of areas surrounding the deaths of several infants born at Portlaoise General Hospital over recent years.

In a letter to the chairman of the committee Jerry Buttimer, the Minister also said he had privately met with a number of the families concerned.

He also suggested that the healthcare safety watchdog HIQA would have crucial role in examining governance issues at the hospital.

The committee will today at a private meeting consider the Portlaoise issue, which was highlighted in an RTÉ documentary last week.

In the letter which was sent yesterday Dr Reilly said he had “grave concerns over a number of areas, not least the manner in which the families were dealt with following the tragic death of their new-born infants”.

He also said he had met three of the families involved and “spoke at length to the mothers referred to in the programme”.

Dr Reilly said it was very useful for him to hear their stories in person.

"I was accompanied by my chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan, who found the testimony provided by the families to be of real value as he prepares to compile a report for me on the issue."

The Minister said he had asked Dr Holohan to provide his report on the issue as expeditiously as possible.

He suggested that HIQA would have a vital role to play in examining issues at Portlaoise.

However he said that there was real value in allowing Dr Holohan to complete his report in advance of any HIQA involvement.

“His report will be of use to HIQA in deciding the scope and nature of the work they will do.”

Dr Reilly said he intended to take all necessary actions to ensure that PortLoaise Hospital provided a safe service for expectant mothers.

“The involvement of HIQA to consider the governance issues in the hospital will be crucial.”