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London-based expert to lead Irish abortion inquiry London-based expert to lead Irish abortion inquiry
(about 1 hour later)
A London-based expert on obstetrics and gynaecology is to head the Irish health service inquiry into the death of a woman refused an abortion in a Galway hospital.A London-based expert on obstetrics and gynaecology is to head the Irish health service inquiry into the death of a woman refused an abortion in a Galway hospital.
Prof Sabarantnam Arulkumaran from St George's, University of London, will chair the investigation into how Savita Halappanavar died at University Hospital Galway. Prof Sabarantnam Arulkumaran, from St George's, University of London, will chair the investigation into how Savita Halappanavar died at University Hospital Galway.
Her husband's legal team has also been in contact with the Health Service Executive (HSE) inquiry team, it was confirmed on Monday. Praveen Halappanavar alleges that his wife, who was gravely ill, asked repeatedly for her 17-week pregnancy to be terminated. She was refused the termination and told: "This is a Catholic country," according to her husband. Halappanavar's husband's legal team has been in contact with the Health Service Executive (HSE) inquiry team, it was confirmed on Monday. Praveen Halappanavar alleges that his wife, who was gravely ill, asked repeatedly for her 17-week pregnancy to be terminated. She was refused the termination and told: "This is a Catholic country," according to her husband.
Arulkumaran said that over the next three days his team would review the case notes, look at guidelines and interview people. The HSE said the investigation would be completed within an "expeditious timeframe". Arulkumaran said that over the next three days his team would review the case notes, look at guidelines and interview people. The HSE said the investigation would be completed within an "expeditious timeframe". The draft terms of reference will be published after being shared with the Halappanavar family.
The draft terms of reference will be published after being shared with the Halappanavar family.
The death of Halappanavar on 28 October has been the subject of national and international attention. On Saturday thousands marched through the streets of central Dublin demanding a change to Ireland's abortion laws that would allow for terminations where a pregnant woman's life is threatened.The death of Halappanavar on 28 October has been the subject of national and international attention. On Saturday thousands marched through the streets of central Dublin demanding a change to Ireland's abortion laws that would allow for terminations where a pregnant woman's life is threatened.
The inquiry will aim to determine the facts of her death, identify contributory factors and make recommendations to try to prevent a similar incident occurring again. The inquiry will aim to determine the facts of Halappanavar's death, identify contributory factors and make recommendations to try to prevent a similar incident occurring again.
Ireland's minister for health, James Reilly, said having the inquiry done properly and completely was key to getting the whole truth that Halappanavar's family would want.Ireland's minister for health, James Reilly, said having the inquiry done properly and completely was key to getting the whole truth that Halappanavar's family would want.
He said Arulkumaran was a man of a extraordinary experience and extremely well qualified. He added that three months was a realistic timeframe for the inquiry to be completed but that if it could be done quicker it would be all to the good. He said Arulkumaran was extremely well qualified. Three months was a realistic timeframe for the inquiry to be completed but he said if it could be done quicker it would be all to the good.
In 2005, the then UK health secretary John Reid appointed Arulkumaran to lead a review into the safety and quality of maternity services at Northwick Park hospital in London after 10 mothers died there in the preceding three years, nine of them between 2002 and 2004. The appointment of his Maternity Action Team was part of a series of special measures the hospital had to undertake in order to restore confidence in its childbirth services. In 2007 Arulkumaran, who is widely respected, became the president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, which represents the UK's specialist maternity doctors. In 2005 the then UK health secretary, John Reid, appointed Arulkumaran to lead a review into the safety and quality of maternity services at Northwick Park hospital in London after 10 mothers died there in the preceding three years, nine of them between 2002 and 2004.
Separately, a book of condolence has been opened by the mayor of Galway in sympathy with Praveen Halappanavar, with their family and friends and with the Indian community in Galway. The appointment of his maternity action team was part of a series of special measures the hospital had to undertake in order to restore confidence in its childbirth services. In 2007 Arulkumaran became the president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, which represents the UK's specialist maternity doctors.
It is available to be signed at Galway city council's offices in City Hall, College Road, Galway, between 9am and 4pm until the end of the month. Separately, a book of condolence has been opened by the mayor of Galway in sympathy with Praveen Halappanavar, the couple's family and friends and with the Indian community in Galway. It is available to be signed at Galway city council's offices in City Hall between 9am and 4pm until the end of the month.
There will be two further books of condolence available to sign at Westside library and Ballybane library from Tuesday morning at 11am.There will be two further books of condolence available to sign at Westside library and Ballybane library from Tuesday morning at 11am.