Hospital should have delivered Bronagh

HEALTH Minister Micheál Martin last night rejected attempts by the North Eastern Health Board to defend its treatment of premature baby Bronagh Livingstone after an independent report said the wrong decisions were taken prior to her death.

The report, compiled by three inspectors appointed by Minister Martin, concluded the infant’s birth was “imminent” when her mother, Ms Denise Livingstone, arrived at Monaghan General Hospital in the early hours of Wednesday morning last week.

It said no attempt should have been made to transfer her to Cavan General Hospital 25 miles away because adequate staff and equipment were available locally to provide initial care for her and her newborn child.