The Health watchdog is to investigate the patient safety culture at Portlaoise Hospital and examine whether the HSE governance structure is supporting services at the hospital or not.
HIQA has published the terms of reference of its investigation into the Midlands Regional Hospital after the deaths of five babies since 2007.
A report by the Department of Health found that the maternity service at the hospital was not safe or sustainable and an interim management team was put in place.
Stephen McMahon from the Irish Patients Association says it is a huge step forward that the HSE structure, as well as hospital staff, are under scrutiny.
“I believe that it is perhaps a first and it is to be very much welcomed that they have taken this approach to look on the wider aspects of the governance of the system, which in turn should lead to greater accountability – and more importantly – patient safety from now into the future” he said.
