The HSE has published a report into the death of a baby in 2009 at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise.

Joshua Keyes died at the hospital on October 28, 2009, and the report is being published at the request of his parents, Shauna Keyes and Joseph Cornally.

The report has identified a number of ‘significant failings into the death of baby Joshua and the care provided to his mother', the HSE said.

Both the HSE and the hospital have reiterated their unreserved apology to Joshua's parents for the failings that resulted in his death, as well we the distress caused ‘as a consequence of the prolonged nature of the process which led to the conduct of this review'.

The report contains details of an independent systems analysis review which was undertaken in 2014. The purpose of this was to establish the facts surrounding the case.

"This report is designed to give the family all the information they need in relation to the care they received and also to inform hospital management as to what service improvements are required to reduce the risk of future recurrence. Reviews such as this are not typically published. This report has been published at the request of Shauna and Joseph," the HSE said.

The report made 23 recommendations, which have already been implemented at the hospital, including the appointment of additional staff in the maternity unit, the introduction of foetal blood sampling and new guidelines in relation to foetal heart monitoring.

The HSE acknowledged that many families have been affected by adverse outcomes in maternity hospitals in recent years. It said that it ‘deeply regrets the distress and anguish caused to these families for its failure to respond in a timely and empathetic way to these issues'.

"It is Shauna and Joseph's expressed wish that the publication of baby Joshua's report will assist in ensuring that recommendations will be implemented nationally, and most importantly to prevent unnecessary suffering, injury and loss of life," the HSE added.

The report can be viewed here