18/01/2013

Savita Halappanavar Inquest Begins Today

Coroner Dr Ciaran McLoughlin will today lead the inquest into the death of Savita Halappanavar, who died at Galway University Hospital on October 28 last year.

Mrs Halappanavar was 17 weeks pregnant and having a miscarriage when she attended the hospital on October 21.

It had been claimed that Halappanavar had asked for a termination on several occasion following her admission, but the request was denied.

She later died at the hospital, reportedly from septicaemia.

It was revealed for the first time last night, by RTÉ News, that her request for a termination is in fact recorded in the medical records.

Her request for a termination was recorded in the medical notes of the consultant obstetrician and the gynaecologist.

The medical notes mark the first official confirmation of the request since the case became public three months ago.

The notes also show that it was not possible to comply with the request.

The inquest, being held in Galway, will decide on legal representation, which witnesses should be called and if all documents and statements have been provided.

(H)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

12 April 2013
Expert Witness Highlights Key Failings In Savita Halappanavar's Care
At the ongoing inquest into the death of Savita Halappanavar, an expert witness has identified shortcomings in her treatment while at Galway University Hospital as her condition deteriorated.
18 April 2013
Savita Halappanavar Inquest Hears Post-Mortem Details
The inquest into the death of Savita Halappanavar has heard details from her post-mortem, as the last witnesses gave their evidence. The cause of Mrs Halappanavar's death was recorded as septic shock, E coli in her bloodstream and a miscarriage at 17 weeks, pathologist Professor Grace Callagy told the inquest.
19 April 2013
Medical Misadventure Verdict Returned At Savita Halappanavar Inquest
The jury at the inquest into the death of Savita Halappanavar has returned a unanimous verdict of death by medical misadventure, after two hours and 40 minutes of deliberations. They also endorsed the nine recommendations made by coroner Dr Ciaran MacLoughlin.
20 November 2012
Widower Calls For Public Inquiry Into Death Of Savita Halappanavar
The husband of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar is calling for a public inquiry into her death. Ms Halappanavar died following a miscarriage at Galway University Hospital on 28th October. Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Pat Kenny, Gerard O'Donnell the family solicitor said: "Any inquiry conducted by the HSE does not meet with his approval.
02 September 2010
Kidney Mistake Result Of 'Human Error'
"Human Error" has been given as the reason for a mistake, which led to the wrong kidney being removed from an eight-year-old boy in 2008. Giving evidence today at a Medical Council inquiry, consultant surgeon Professor Martin Corbally said he had written down the wrong kidney in his notes for the operation.