HSE TO APPOINT INDEPENDENT EXPERT AFTER DEATH OF SAVITA HALAPPANAVAR AT UHG

Date Published: 15-Nov-2012

The HSE is in the process of appointing an independent, external expert following the death of 31-year-old Savita Halappanavar at University Hospital Galway.

Campaigners are calling for a fresh focus on abortion legislation after the woman was allegedly refused an abortion, despite being told she was suffering a miscarriage.

She later died from blood poisoning.

Savita, a dentist, had lived in the city with her husband, 34 year old Praveen, an engineer at Boston Scientific.

The Health Minister James Reilly says he will await two reports into the woman's death before deciding what to do next.

Last evening, the HSE issued a statement on the review into the maternal death.

It once again extended its deepest sympathies and added that the National Incident Management Team (NIMT) will oversee a review into the circumstances of Ms Halappanavar’s tragic death.

To further strengthen this review, the HSE is in the process of appointing an independent, external expert in obstetrics and gynaecology to the incident management team.

Last night several thousand people gathered outside the Dail to call for the introduction of legislation for medical abortions.