Belated HSE apology for deficiencies in baby’s care

The HSE has acknowledged that its failure, “for several years, to acknowledge or address” the deficiencies in care that left baby Róisín Conroy permanently disabled, caused “unacceptable” additional stress to her family.

The apology, from Trevor O’Callaghan, chief executive of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group, is contained in a newly published report examining the catalogue of failures at Portlaoise Hospital in November 2001, that ultimately left the infant only able to communicate with her eyes, and wheelchair bound, as a result of dyskinetic cerebral palsy.

Mr O’Callaghan also apologised for the length of time the investigation process has taken. The investigation commenced in April 2016 and was completed on May 9, 2018, nearly 17 years after Róisín was born.