Nurses say the first people to lose out in an underfunded and under-resourced health service are patients and their families.

The purpose and structure of an external review of how red flags in relation to baby deaths at Portlaoise Hospital were not passed up the HSE’s chain of command will be known within the next two weeks.

HEALTH Minister Leo Varadkar yesterday forcefully criticised how parents of babies who died at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise were treated, but his assertion yesterday — that parents of babies who died at the hospital “were not dealt with honestly” — must have implications beyond what is usual in these circumstances. Earlier in the week, he that said he was “ashamed” of how patients were treated.

Parents of babies who died at the controversy-hit Midlands hospital in Portlaoise were not dealt with honestly, the Health minister has said.

Bereaved parents who met with the Health Minister last night say they want to see further changes at Portlaoise Hospital.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar said that a full inquiry by HIQA into maternity services at Cavan General Hospital is not warranted.

“Numerous” cases “as sad and as serious” as the Portlaoise Hospital baby deaths scandal are occurring at “other sites around the country”, previously unseen HSE correspondence has claimed.

The Coombe Hospital in Dublin is to take over the running of maternity services at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise.

A father of one of the babies whose deaths were investigated at Portlaoise hospital has accused the HSE of "running for cover".

The HSE has published its correspondence with the health watchdog on a draft report into the deaths of a number of babies at Portlaoise hospital.

Publication of HIQA report into the deaths of five babies at Portlaoise Hospital should happen immediately, and is a "perfect opportunity for disclosure", a father of one of the babies has said.

It has been revealed the HSE has threatened legal action against HIQA to prevent the publication of a report into the deaths of five babies at the Midland Hospital in Portlaoise.