46 serious failures in hospitals in Southern Trust

The incidents were revealed in the latest Learning Report on Serious Adverse Incidents (SAIs), published by the Public Health Agency, which focuses on the time period October 2013 to March 2014.

A total of 46 Serious Adverse Incidents occurred in hospital and care settings within the Southern Health Board area, which includes Dungannon’s South Tyrone Hospital and Craigavon Hospital.

The highest number of failures (13) were reported in mental health settings, followed by elderly care and maternity and child health, which both had 12 adverse incidents.

However, overall, the Southern Board had one of the lowest totals of SAIs in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Fein MLA Bronwyn McGahan warned that the health service was in a perilous situation.

“The health service is feeling the impact of draconian cuts to the block grant being implemented by the British Tory Party”, she said.

“Coupled with the ineffective management of former Health Minister Edwin Poots it comes as no surprise that services are being neglected.

“I am particularly concerned however that the majority of these incidents involved people with mental health issues, children and the elderly.

“It is crucial that the management of the hospitals look at addressing the safety of its patients and staff by implementing any recommendations emanating .”

Health officials have previously raised concern about under-reporting of SAIs within local health trusts.