FG, Labour call for patient safety watchdog

Fine Gael and the Labour Party are calling on the Government to set up a watchdog to ensure patient safety in the healthcare system.

The two parties are due to table a private members motion in the Dáil today seeking the establishment a Patient Safety Authority.

They say there is a clear need for a new approach to the monitoring and regulating of standards of patient care.

The move follows the Lourdes Hospital Inquiry and the O'Neill report into the Leas Cross nursing home.