Midwives' Called To Give Evidence At Halappanavar Inquest

A midwife and student midwife, who have both given statements to the inquest into the death of Savita Halappanavar, have been called to given evidence, in the interest of “completeness”.

The coroner made the call following evidence that was heard about Mrs Halappanavar’s first day in hospital.

The inquest heard from a friend of Mrs Halappanavar who had visited her in hospital on the morning of 23 October.

Mrudula Vasepalli told the inquest that when a request for a termination of pregnancy was made, a midwife had told Mrs Halappanavar: "We don't do that here dear, it's a Catholic thing."

Declan Buckley, SC for the hospital and its staff, however said there was no record of the conversation in the medical notes.

Coroner Dr Ciaran McLoughlin asked if the midwife can be identified, with Mr Buckley saying that it was hospital's "best guess" that the staff member referred to was a clinical midwife manager.

He said that while it was difficult to be certain, as there were a number of midwives on duty at the time, the "best guess" the hospital could make was that the clinical midwife manager in question was Ann Maria Burke, accompanied on the day in question by a student midwife, Elaine Finnucane.

The inquest is ongoing with at least 16 witnesses from the hospital, as well as expert witnesses, are scheduled to give evidence.

(H/CD)