Consultants asked to stand down from Savita inquiry

Three consultants from University College Hospital, Galway have been removed from the inquiry to ascertain the events leading up to the tragic death of 31-year-old Indian woman Savita Halappanavar following a miscarriage at the hospital.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny confirmed on Tuesday evening the Government had decided earlier that Health Minister Dr James Reilly would request the HSE not to have any consultants from the hospital involved in the investigation.

“That is not, in any way, impugning their integrity,’’ he said.

Speaking in the Dáil, Mr Kenny said it was being done to have regard “for the traumatic effect on Savita’s husband and family and in the greater public interest at large’’.

Stating the chairmanship of Professor Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran was unquestioned, he said the investigation would be utterly independent of the hospital and would, hopefully, be able to ascertain the truth, the facts and circumstances surrounding the death.

Mr Kenny said those involved in the investigation now are competent and experienced and have no connection with the hospital.

It was an investigation under the HSE structure because the property, documentation and contracts were with the agency, he explained.

Speaking before the dramatic development on Tuesday afternoon, HSE Forum chairman, Galway Councillor Pádraig Conneely, said it was wrong for the HSE to approve the appointment of three consultants from UHG on the investigation team.

Stressing he was in no way questioning the professionalism or competence of the consultants, Councillor Conneely said he feels they should not have been put in the “invidious” position of taking evidence for the inquiry.

In fact, the Fine Gael councillor claimed no one from UHG should have been appointed on the inquiry and instead argued that experts who were totally independent from the hospital should have been included on this team.

“I have nothing against any of the three consultants and I am in no way questioning their professionalism. I believe that as head of their departments in UHG, they are entitled and should give evidence to the inquiry but should not have been put in the invidious position where they have to give evidence.

“Galway is a small hospital. All the consultants work together and know each other. Nobody from UHG should have been appointed on the inquiry team. The three consultants should not have been asked to go on this team and should have refused,” he said.

The circumstances surrounding the death of Ms Halappanavar from septicaemia after suffering a miscarriage on October 28 last has attracted national and international attention.

Her husband, Praveen, wants an independent public inquiry established into her death.

Solicitor Gerard O’Donnell, who represents Praveen Halappanavar, said the family is very concerned about the way Savita was treated at University College Hospital Galway and want a full public inquiry to be held into the circumstances surrounding her death.

Speaking on RTÉ radio, Mr O’Donnell said Mr Halappanavar had no faith in the HSE.

“He feels anybody who is appointed by the HSE and paid for by the HSE to conduct an inquiry into his wife’s death won’t meet the criteria that we would advise him as lawyers of getting to the truth,” he said.

“Evidence won’t be taken under oath, it won’t be cross examined so I wouldn’t be satisfied with that and neither would our client.”

The HSE confirmed on Tuesday Prof Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran has sought a face-to-face meeting with Mr Halappanavar in order to discuss his concerns in relation to the investigation.

“The HSE is taking the concerns of Mr Halappanavar extremely seriously in relation to the composition of the ­investigation team and the HSE is currently examining the make-up of the investigation team,” said a HSE spokeswoman.

The process of clinical incident review seeks to ascertain the facts relating to the incident, identify any causal or ­contributory factors, draw conclusions and make recommendations in relation to any steps that may need to be taken to prevent, insofar as it is possible, and reduce the risk of a similar incident occurring again.
Galway University Hospital has committed to co-operating fully with the team to ensure the investigation can be completed as quickly as possible.

The issue may also be discussed with Health Minister James Reilly this Friday when he visits members of the HSE Forum West in Merlin Park Hospital, Galway.

The UHG members formerly of the team were Professor Morrison, consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Galway University Hospital; Dr Catherine Fleming, consultant, infectious diseases, Galway University Hospital and Dr Brian Harte, consultant, anaesthetics, Galway University Hospital.

The other members are Cora McCaughan, HSE National Incident Management Team; Cathriona Molloy, Service User Advocate, Patient Focus and Geraldine Keohane, director of midwifery, director of Cork University Hospital
Asked about the calls from Mr Halappanavar for a public inquiry, Councillor Conneely doesn’t believe a public inquiry is the best way forward due to the risk of both sides getting bogged down in legalities and legal argument, which could drag on for months.

“It should be an independent inquiry, which should be completed within one month.

“If it goes on for three months, all the speculation and comment will continue. It is one case, one hospital and one incident.

“What happened is a tragedy. We only have one side of the story coming out as the HSE and its medics aren’t in a position to say anything,” he said.

Minister Reilly has stated the investigation team will work closely with the family at all times and keep them fully informed of the terms of reference of the investigation.