(Consultant Obstetrician Dr Katherine Astbury who treated Savita Halappanavar, at Galway courthouse during Savita’s inquest in April)

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) report into the death of Savita Halappanavar released today found:

Of the care provided [to Savita] there was a:

General lack of provision of basic, fundamental care, for example, not following up on blood tests as identified in the case of Savita Halappanavar

Failure to recognise that Savita Halappanavar was at risk of clinical deterioration

failure to act or escalate concerns to an appropriately qualified clinician when Savita Halappanavar was showing the signs of clinical deterioration.

The consultant, non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) and midwifery/nursing staff were responsible and accountable for ensuring that Savita Halappanavar received the right care at the right time. However, this did not happen. The most senior clinical decision maker involved in the provision of care to Savita Halappanavar at any given time should have been suitably clinically experienced and competent to interpret clinical findings and act accordingly. Ultimate clinical accountability rested with the consultant obstetrician who was leading Savita Halappanavar’s care.

Dr Astbury is the doctor, who according to Praveen Halappanavar, refused to terminate Savita’s pregnancy telling her “this is a Catholic country“.

During the inquest it was reported:

Mr Halappanavar accused consultant obstetrician Katherine Astbury of dismissing three separate requests for a termination because the foetus was alive.

“The consultant, Dr Astbury, came in,” he told Galway coroner’s court about the third request.

“Savita asked her ’can you terminate the baby?’

“Dr Astbury said ’unfortunately I cannot. This is a Catholic country, we are bound by the law. We can’t terminate because the foetus is still alive’.”

“Mr Halappanavar said his wife, who was 17 weeks pregnant, cried and told the doctor she was Hindu and not an Irish citizen.”

“Dr Astbury said ’sorry’ and she walked away,” Mr Halappanavar added.”

“The widower claimed a midwife also told his wife and her friend she could not have a termination because of the ‘Catholic thing’ after calling the consultant.”

“Barristers for the hospital and the medic told Galway coroner, Dr Ciaran MacLoughlin, that the consultant denies the allegations and disputes she ever made reference to the words ‘Catholic country’.”

Investigation into the safety, quality and standards of services provided by the Health Service Executive in University Hospital Galway,
and as reflected in the care and treatment provided to Savita Halappanavar – Executive Summary and Recommendations (HIQA)