HIQA REPORT: To err is human, but to cover up is unforgivable

The HSE has been accused of ignoring “more than a decade” of serious patient safety concerns flagged by staff, patients, and official reports, culminating in the deaths of eight newborn babies in “extremely traumatising” circumstances.

The Health Information and Quality Authority issued the damning critique after publishing a 208-page report into the deaths at Portlaoise Hospital.

Speaking at the launch of the report, the officials criticised the HSE for repeatedly failing to act on clearly flagged fears. Inquiry member and patient advocate Margaret Murphy warned: “To err is human, but to cover up is unforgivable and to refuse to learn is inexcusable.”