Abortion is main focus of day 6 of Savita inquest as expert witness questioned

Date Published: 17-Apr-2013

The sixth day of the inquest into the death of Savita Halappanavar has now come to an end at County Hall.

Proceeding have reached a conclusion with reports on post-mortems carried out on the placenta and the foetus.

Proceedings came to a conclusion this evening with a report from witness Dr. Michael Tan Chien Sheng, a consultant pathologist in UHG who carried out the post mortem on the foetus.

He told the inquest he had carried out the autopsy on November 2nd.

He said it was a still born foetus at 17 weeks gestation and incompatible with life.

The inquest also heard from Dr. Frans Colesky who carried out the post mortem on the placenta.

Praveen left the room for these sensitive reports as previously indicated by his legal team.

This morning, Expert witness Dr. Peter Boylan told the inquest that had Ms. Halappanavar had a termination on the Monday or Tuesday of her time in hospital, it is highly likely she would not have died.

However he noted it was NOT a practicable position at that time because of the law as there was not a real and substantial risk to her life at thatstage.

The consultant obstetrician also pointed to a number of deficiencies in Savita’s care.

In response to questioning this afternoon, he said the legal position is guided by medical council guidelines that abortion is illegal in Ireland except where there is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother as distinct from the health of the mother.

He added that obstetricians in Ireland are working to a certain extent in a vacuum.

HSE Senior Counsel Declan Buckley asked if the rarity of this case is a difficulty visited upon nurses, doctors and right up to consultants – theexpert witness agreed.

Day seven of the inquest resumes at County Hall at 10 tomorrow morning.

It’s hoped a verdict will be reached by Friday.