The Minister for Health is expected to receive a report this evening into the death of two-year-old Róisín Ruddle who died last week within 24 hours of a her heart operation being cancelled.
The report was still being finalised by the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) today. It is understood the report was delayed when the ERHA sought additional information from Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin, where the operation was due to take place.
Following Róisín's death, the hospital said a shortage of intensive care nurses had led to the operation being postponed for a number of days. Róisín was sent to her Limerick home last Monday week, where she died early on Tuesday July 1st.
Following her death, a management committee at our Our Lady's Hospital directed the hospital's chief executive recruit an extra 29 staff needed for seven new operating theatres, even though the budget is not there.
Due to Government-imposed funding constraints this year, Our Lady's Hospital closed 25 beds in June, a move that was criticised by the Minister. He said it was a "disproportionate response" to the hospital's problems.
The hospital defended its decision, and said it could not continue existing levels of service for the remainder of the year and come within budget.
It is understood that the Minister intends to make public the findings of the report.
