Hip dysplasia report
Deputy Brennan spoke movingly about the forthcoming hip dysplasia report and urged parent involvement and re-examination of children affected by the surgeries. The Taoiseach welcomed his contribution, said the report should be published at week’s end, and called for a robust system-wide response.
In regard to the hip dysplasia report due in the coming days, as previously stated in this House I was a parent who sat in front of the surgeon being investigated, with my wife and my child. I was a lucky parent. I did not proceed with the recommended procedure. When the report is published, among the many recommendations, I hope there is one where parents are very much involved in the process. Every child who ever underwent a medical procedure under the surgeons in question must be re-examined. Procedures must be put in place and I welcome the Minister's action on this point. If media sources are correct, we could be dealing with one of the largest medical malpractices in the history of our State. Our response will be defining.
When the report is issued, I appeal for a calm, measured and sober debate with a firm and structured response.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue in the manner he has. I understand fully, as he eloquently articulated in the House some weeks ago, his personal experience of this entire situation in respect of his own child. That is a valuable input into the debate on this issue. I anticipate and expect a report to be published at the end of the week. It is important it is published and that in parallel with the publication of the report, it is accompanied by a very robust and comprehensive response from the entire health system. That is what is required here in the interests of the parents and children affected. We have to put the children and families at the centre of our response and at the centre of how we deal with this.