Cruel medical negligence policy must be overhauled

A High Court judge has called for a radical overhaul of how the State manages claims for medical negligence.

Ms Justice Mary Irvine made her comments after the HSE went to court in a bid to explain its treatment of a girl from Carrigaline, Cork, who received catastrophic injuries during her birth in 2006. Earlier this month the parents of eight-year-old Grace Orchard settled a claim against the HSE for €5.8m for the mishandling of her birth at St Finbarr’s hospital. When the settlement was agreed Judge Irvine said she regretted it had taken the HSE until January to accept liability, which was three years after a case was taken.

Following this, the HSE applied to explain its actions because the State Claims Agency feared the court felt its delay in admitting liability was tactical.