LAST WEEK IT was revealed by TheJournal.ie that a number of state files were recalled from the National Archives by the Department of Health following the revelations about the deaths of almost 800 children at a mother and baby home in Tuam.
The department states that the documents were recalled for the Commission of Investigation that was announced by the Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald.
The documents recently recalled by the department include:
1954: Health Act 1953: Memoranda on Health Services, Bon Secours Home, Tuam Co. Galway
1948-57: Gaillimh: Bon Secours Nursing Home, Tuam Application for Building License
Other documents relate to the registration of maternity homes under the Maternity Homes Act 1934. They include the annual returns for the years ending 1953, 1952, 1951, 1950, 1948-50, 1946-49, and Maternity Home exemptions 1946-47.
The National Archives said the records have been requisitioned temporarily by the Department of Health and that the files can be retained for a period of up to six months.
They said the files, although temporarily requisitioned by the Department, remain subject to the provisions of the National Archives Act, 1986 and are still open to public inspection.
TheJournal.ie requested to see the documents, which the Department of Health accommodated.
This document, dated 1954, on behalf of the Minister for Health outlines to the Bon Secours Home in Tuam, County Galway how an investigation should be carried out if a there is a patient complaint made in respect of treatment.
There is no reference made in the file as to what this document refers to. (Can’t see the file, click here)
Within the same file, there is also a document outlining the complaints procedure.
Under the heading: “Investigation of complaints regarding treatment of patients in hospitals etc, with which local authorities have entered into agreements under Section 10.”
It outlines that where a complaint is made the health authority will ask the hospital or home to send on a report in relation to the complaint. If they are not satisfied with the report, then the minister will be furnished with further documents relating to the case and a medical inspector would then be sent to inspect the nature of the complaint. (Can’t see the file, click here)
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