Minister vows to implement all 32 recommendations in Pseudomonas Review report

The Independent Review of the Incidents of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection and Colonisation in Neonatal Units in Northern Ireland was conducted by a review team led by Professor Pat Troop CBE. In April, the Minister updated the Committee on an interim report provided by the Review Team.

The Minister had asked the Chair of the HSSPS Committee Sue Ramsey to convene a special sitting on the day the final report was published to allow him to update MLAs on the findings at the earliest opportunity.

He said: “Last month, I promised I would implement all 15 recommendations from the interim report. To date, five have been implemented; six more are due to be completed today while the remainder will be in place by the end of this year. I will continue to press for a new regional neonatal unit to be in place at the earliest opportunity. I have accepted the 17 new recommendations and will ensure that they are implemented as soon as possible.”

And he reminded members that his priority was the families of the babies who had died from pseudomonas or were infected or colonised by the bacterium.

He said: “Paramount in my thoughts throughout this tragic chain of events are the families. Their grief and anxiety cannot be measured. And yet, despite their pain, many have relived the events, the experiences and the emotions to contribute to this report in order to protect others. This requires immense courage and selflessness and we owe them a great debt.

“Words are never enough; nonetheless, I want to once again say how sorry I am for what they have suffered and are continuing to endure. I have expressed my condolences to them in person and in public statements. Actions speak louder than words and the most meaningful expression of sympathy is to take effective and swift action to benefit other babies and families.”

The Minister said it was crucial that all lessons were learned quickly. He said: “When I commissioned this review my intention was to ensure that whatever lessons needed to be learned would be identified immediately and acted upon as quickly as possible. We will do all that is in our power to prevent such tragedies from happening again. That is why I set a demanding timescale for the review.”

Mr Poots said that staff at all levels across the system had been deeply affected by these events. He said: “I know that they have been deeply affected by the deaths of these babies and by the grief and the worry of the families who have been touched by these incidents. I know that all staff are unwavering in their desire and commitment to minimise the risk of future infections.”

Before joining the Committee, Mr Poots issued a written statement to the Assembly. Committee members were also given the opportunity to question Professor Troop and some members of the Review team today on the full report.