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Savita Halappanavar inquest told abortion might have prevented death Savita Halappanavar inquest told abortion might have prevented death
(8 days later)
Savita Halappanavar would have survived if her pregnancy had been terminated days before she died of blood poisoning at Galway University hospital last autumn, the inquest in Galway courthouse has heard.Savita Halappanavar would have survived if her pregnancy had been terminated days before she died of blood poisoning at Galway University hospital last autumn, the inquest in Galway courthouse has heard.
But Dr Peter Boylan, the former head of Ireland's maternity hospitals, added that an abortion would not have been legal at that stage as her life was not at risk.But Dr Peter Boylan, the former head of Ireland's maternity hospitals, added that an abortion would not have been legal at that stage as her life was not at risk.
The obstetrician told the inquest that by 6.30am on Wednesday 24 October, Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old Indian dentist who was 17 weeks pregnant, had sepsis. "The real problem was the inability to terminate prior to Mrs Halappanavar developing a real or substantive risk to her life," Boylan said. "By that time it was effectively too late to save her life."The obstetrician told the inquest that by 6.30am on Wednesday 24 October, Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old Indian dentist who was 17 weeks pregnant, had sepsis. "The real problem was the inability to terminate prior to Mrs Halappanavar developing a real or substantive risk to her life," Boylan said. "By that time it was effectively too late to save her life."
During his evidence, Boylan said there were deficiencies in Halappanavar's care. While none individually caused her death, an accumulation of failings delayed appropriate treatment, and each hour of delay increased the chance of her death by 6%, he said.During his evidence, Boylan said there were deficiencies in Halappanavar's care. While none individually caused her death, an accumulation of failings delayed appropriate treatment, and each hour of delay increased the chance of her death by 6%, he said.
The expert witness also criticised the hospital's notekeeping. He said it was a serious deficiency that the nurse who cared for Halappanavar on the morning of 24 October had not provided a statement to the inquest.The expert witness also criticised the hospital's notekeeping. He said it was a serious deficiency that the nurse who cared for Halappanavar on the morning of 24 October had not provided a statement to the inquest.
The nurse was the only staff member involved in the case who did not provide a statement, but has submitted a certificate to the coroner confirming her inability to attend the hearing.The nurse was the only staff member involved in the case who did not provide a statement, but has submitted a certificate to the coroner confirming her inability to attend the hearing.
The inquest is exploring the circumstances leading to Halappanavar's death in the hospital after a miscarriage.The inquest is exploring the circumstances leading to Halappanavar's death in the hospital after a miscarriage.
Halappanavar's death provoked protests around the world against the Republic's strict anti-abortion laws, which the current Fine Gael-Labour government has promised to reform.Halappanavar's death provoked protests around the world against the Republic's strict anti-abortion laws, which the current Fine Gael-Labour government has promised to reform.
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