This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/17/savita-halappanavar-inquest-doctor-midwife

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Savita Halappanavar inquest: doctor was warned about elevated pulse rate Savita Halappanavar inquest: doctor was warned about elevated pulse rate
(10 days later)
A senior midwife has said she is 100% certain she told a doctor about the elevated pulse rate of an Indian woman who later died after she suffered a miscarriage in an Irish hospital.A senior midwife has said she is 100% certain she told a doctor about the elevated pulse rate of an Indian woman who later died after she suffered a miscarriage in an Irish hospital.
The clinical midwife manager Ann Maria Burke told an inquest she called a medic to see if Savita Halappanavar could have a bath the night before she fell critically ill, and mentioned the high pulse rate before she went off shift at about 8pm.The clinical midwife manager Ann Maria Burke told an inquest she called a medic to see if Savita Halappanavar could have a bath the night before she fell critically ill, and mentioned the high pulse rate before she went off shift at about 8pm.
However, Dr Ikechukwu Uzochkwu, senior house officer in obstetrics and gynaecology, remains adamant he was only told the patient was weak but that her vital signs were fine during a call between 9pm and 11pm.However, Dr Ikechukwu Uzochkwu, senior house officer in obstetrics and gynaecology, remains adamant he was only told the patient was weak but that her vital signs were fine during a call between 9pm and 11pm.
"That is still my evidence," he said, adding that he did not know which midwife had called him."That is still my evidence," he said, adding that he did not know which midwife had called him.
Halappanavar was 17 weeks pregnant when she was admitted to University Hospital Galway on 21 October last year and died a week later from suspected septicaemia, days after she lost her baby.Halappanavar was 17 weeks pregnant when she was admitted to University Hospital Galway on 21 October last year and died a week later from suspected septicaemia, days after she lost her baby.
The witnesses were both recalled to the inquest to give evidence after "irreconcilable differences" appeared in their evidence last week at Galway coroner's court.The witnesses were both recalled to the inquest to give evidence after "irreconcilable differences" appeared in their evidence last week at Galway coroner's court.
Burke said she was "100% certain" she called Uzochkwu on the Tuesday evening when pulse rates of 114 and 110 beats per minute were recorded on Halappanavar.Burke said she was "100% certain" she called Uzochkwu on the Tuesday evening when pulse rates of 114 and 110 beats per minute were recorded on Halappanavar.
He said he went to see the patient at 1am on Wednesday, but Halappanavar was sleeping so he did not examine her as he was told by staff her vital signs were normal.He said he went to see the patient at 1am on Wednesday, but Halappanavar was sleeping so he did not examine her as he was told by staff her vital signs were normal.
The on-call medic was called again at 6.30am – almost 24 hours after his shift started – when her condition deteriorated so much she was diagnosed with suspected sepsis.The on-call medic was called again at 6.30am – almost 24 hours after his shift started – when her condition deteriorated so much she was diagnosed with suspected sepsis.
Eugene Gleeson, senior counsel for widower Praveen Halappanavar, argued that there was no way of knowing if Mrs Halappanavar's vital signs were normal overnight as they had not been checked.Eugene Gleeson, senior counsel for widower Praveen Halappanavar, argued that there was no way of knowing if Mrs Halappanavar's vital signs were normal overnight as they had not been checked.
"It's absolutely clear that from 9pm to 6.30am only one vital sign out of the four was recorded," he said."It's absolutely clear that from 9pm to 6.30am only one vital sign out of the four was recorded," he said.
Meanwhile, the Galway coroner Dr Ciaran MacLoughlin said the inquest should be over on Friday.Meanwhile, the Galway coroner Dr Ciaran MacLoughlin said the inquest should be over on Friday.
The former master of the national Maternity Hospital Dr Peter Boylan is among the experts giving evidence on Wednesday.The former master of the national Maternity Hospital Dr Peter Boylan is among the experts giving evidence on Wednesday.
Mr Halappanavar maintains the couple repeatedly requested a termination but were refused because the foetal heartbeat was present.Mr Halappanavar maintains the couple repeatedly requested a termination but were refused because the foetal heartbeat was present.
He says they were told they would not be able to have an abortion because Ireland "is a Catholic country", which Burke admitted telling them, but which the consultant Katherine Astbury has insisted she did not say.He says they were told they would not be able to have an abortion because Ireland "is a Catholic country", which Burke admitted telling them, but which the consultant Katherine Astbury has insisted she did not say.
Astbury has admitted system failures in Mrs Halappanavar's care.Astbury has admitted system failures in Mrs Halappanavar's care.
As Mr Halappanavar arrived for the sixth day of the hearing with his legal team, he said: "We are very optimistic and looking forward to the final word."As Mr Halappanavar arrived for the sixth day of the hearing with his legal team, he said: "We are very optimistic and looking forward to the final word."
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.