EXPERT AT SAVITA INQUEST REFERS TO MEDICAL COUNCIL GUIDELINES

Date Published: 17-Apr-2013

The afternoon session of the sixth day of the inquest into the death of Savita Halappanavar has resumed at County Hall.

Galway bay fm reports questioning is continuing of expert witness, Dr. Peter Boylan, a former Master at the National Maternity Hospital.

Earlier, Dr.Boylan told the inquest that had Ms. Halappanavar had a termination on the Monday of 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 that stage.

Praveen Halappanavar’s Barrister Eugene Gleeson questioned if there was alegal stand-off in obstetrics practice in this case.

Dr. Boylan 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 ina vacuum.

He said: ‘Unless a mother is going to die, we are on very sticky ground’.

Following further questioning, he said we have to wait until there is areal and substantial risk to the life of the mother.

His questioning continues.