Bereaved parents to appear before Committee on Health and Children today

Following a highly publicised meeting with Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, last week, the bereaved parents of infants, who died while under the care of staff at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise, are due to appear before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children later today.

Commenting on the meeting which took place last week, Mr. Varadkar told both the media and the Oireachtas that he was ashamed at the way in which families were treated and asserted that members of hospital staff are due to face disciplinary action.

Following the publication of a HIQA report, it was established that parents were treated 'with a lack of honesty' at a tremendously difficult time, something which Mr. Varadkar suggests may be seen in various other hospitals across the country.

In addition to grief stricken parents who intend to share their stories of their time with the Midland Regional Hospital, senior HSE management and the Director General of the Heath Service Executive, Tony O' Brien will also appear before the committee this morning.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that an independent report due to be conducted by an external consultant into failings on the part of senior HSE management will be delayed by three months.