Serious Reportable Events (SREs) in Irish hospitals

3 minute read

When you go into hospital, you trust that the right systems are in place to keep you safe. While many treatments are carried out without issue, there are some medical mistakes that are considered so serious they should never happen.

In Ireland, these are known as Serious Reportable Events (SREs). They are sometimes referred to as “never events”, but that terminology is more commonly used in the UK and US.

If you or a loved one have experienced an SRE, it is natural to feel shocked and to have questions about what happened, why it happened and whether you can claim compensation.

What is a Serious Reportable Event?

A Serious Reportable Event is a defined type of adverse incident in healthcare that is considered preventable if the correct systems and safeguards are in place. They are incidents that are not simply accidents or complications, but fundamental failures in patient safety.

The HSE groups SREs into categories such as:

Surgical events
Product or device events
Care management events
Patient protection events
Environmental events
Radiological events
Criminal events

These are not everyday risks of medical treatment. They are labelled as SREs because with proper care and safeguards they should never occur.

Why do SREs matter so much?

The significance of an SRE is that it automatically triggers internal reporting and investigation by the healthcare provider. In the HSE system, they are subject to mandatory review and a detailed examination of what went wrong.

For patients and families, the designation is important because:

It acknowledges that something unacceptable has happened
It provides access to investigation reports that can help uncover the facts
It may strengthen a legal case by confirming a fundamental safety failure

To learn what the HSE says about SREs, read: HSE Guidance: Serious Reportable
Events (SREs).

Do Serious Reportable Events always amount to negligence?

Not every SRE will automatically result in a successful compensation claim. In Ireland, the legal test for medical negligence remains the same:

A duty of care existed
That duty was breached
The breach caused injury or harm

However, because SREs are “never events”, the breach element is often clearer. What usually remains in dispute is the extent of harm caused and how damages should be assessed.

What should you do if you are affected by a Serious Reportable Event?

If you believe you or a loved one has experienced an SRE, consider the following:

Request copies of your medical records and any investigation reports. You are entitled to this information.
Seek independent legal advice quickly. Strict two-year time limits generally apply in medical negligence claims, though there are exceptions. Learn more at: How long do I have to make a medical negligence claim?
Do not rely solely on the hospital’s internal review. While it may provide useful information, an independent expert opinion is usually required to prove negligence in court.

How Augustus Cullen Law can help

Serious Reportable Events are rare, but when they do occur the impact can be devastating. Our medical negligence team has extensive experience in dealing with cases involving SREs, working with independent medical experts to establish liability and pursue fair compensation.

If you or your family have been affected by a Serious Reportable Event, we are here to guide you through the process with clear advice and compassionate support.

Contact Us to arrange an appointment with an expert, or visit Medical Negligence Claims to learn more about our services.

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